More Nova Scotians are dying from the Flu than COVID; here's what the data shows
Influenza has now overtaken
COVID-19
as the leading cause of respiratory-related deaths in Nova Scotia this season, the first time this has happened since the pandemic began. According to the province's latest respiratory watch report, 124 people have died from influenza so far during the 2024–25 respiratory season. In comparison, COVID-19 has been linked to 108 deaths in the same period.
The current respiratory season began on August 25, 2024, and runs until August 29, 2025. Health officials say this shift highlights changing patterns in virus transmission and immunity. Experts warn that the flu is now a far bigger threat to public health locally.
Also Read:
Is Calgary's tap water safe again? Why a controversial mineral is making a splash again
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
Some disease specialists say the trend reflects strong vaccine uptake and natural immunity against COVID‑19. She added that while COVID‑19 deaths are declining, the flu is surging.
Live Events
This year's influenza activity began early. Confirmed flu cases climbed through late winter and spring. Hospital admissions from influenza have increased significantly. Clinics and hospitals are now seeing more flu‑related complications than COVID‑19 cases.
Unlike COVID‑19, influenza has not attracted the same public concern. Mask mandates and testing protocols are no longer in place, which, according to health officials, may be contributing to the rapid spread.
Flu vaccines are still available in Nova Scotia. Health providers strongly recommend them for all residents. They emphasize immunizing older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions, as these groups remain most at risk for severe flu complications.
COVID‑19 boosters are also available. However, uptake has slowed, especially among younger and low‑risk groups. This may explain why COVID‑19 deaths remain stable, even as cases continue at a low but steady pace.
Nova Scotia's health authorities are now focused on public education. They stress that both flu and COVID‑19 vaccines are essential. Officials are urging residents to stay home if unwell and to maintain good hygiene.
Hospital capacity is becoming a concern again. Bed occupancy and emergency visits have risen with the flu wave. Health officials warn that the system could be stretched if the flu season continues.
The provincial government plans to track flu and COVID‑19 data closely and update policy based on case trends and hospital pressure, and no new restrictions are planned at this time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Drug heist busted: Pharma staff among eight held for stealing over Rs 2 crore worth Semaglutide powder at Dr Reddy's Lab in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam
Pharma staff among eight held for stealing over Rs two crore worth Semaglutide powder at Dr Reddy's Lab in Srikakulam SRIKAKULAM: The JR Puram police in Srikakulam district have apprehended a gang of eight individuals, which includes employees of a pharma company, in connection with the theft of around 450 gms of Semaglutide powder, an anti-diabetic medicine, valued at over Rs two crore from Dr Reddy's Laboratories warehouse situated at Pydibheemavaram in the district. The arrested persons have been identified as Dronadulu Suresh (31), a chemist at Dr Reddy's Lab, Gajula Venkata Raghavendra (33), warehouse team member at Dr Reddy's Lab, N Appala Naidu (28), a chemist, Gollapalli Kantarao (35), a chemist, Guntaka Suresh, Reddy (40), a chemist at production section MSN Pharma company in Hyderabad, Ajmeera Tirupathi (32), a research analytical at Life scan Pharma Company in Hyderabad, Kalluri Balakrishna, (33) and B Naveen Kumar 33) Srikakulam district police Chief KV Maheswara Reddy stated that Semaglutide medicine was produced at Dr Reddy's Lab production unit and subsequently stored in the freezer room of the FG warehouse on February 17, 2025. Staff members later discovered that the medicine had been stolen from the freezer room on February 23, 2025. Similarly, during the audit, staff observed that 3.38 kgs of Palladium Acetate, valued at over Rs60 lakh and stored at the warehouse within the production unit of Dr Reddy's Lab, had been stolen in May this year. The police said Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), modified with a side can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally. Palladium acetate, or palladium(II) acetate, is a chemical is a red-brown solid and is widely used as a catalyst in various organic reactions, particularly crosscoupling reactions like Suzuki and Heck reaction Based on the complaint, the police have formed three special teams to solve the grave offences. The JR Puram police inspector M Avatharam along with his team sub-inspector S Chiranjeevi and G Laxman Rao investigated the case in multiple angles and identified the culprits and nabbed the accused and recovered around 440 gms of stolen Semaglutide powder and also around 460 gms of fake Semaglutide powder from them. Guntaka Suresh, Reddy (40), a chemist at production section MSN Pharma Company in Hyderabad was the receiver of the stolen chemicals.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Ministers To Undergo Covid Test Before Meeting PM Modi Amid Rising Cases
New Delhi: Amid the rising Covid-19 cases in India, any minister who is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi must get an RT-PCR test done, sources said. The decision comes as all BJP functionaries from Delhi, including the Chief Minister, are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister at his residence today evening. All the ministers would need to undergo the Covid-19 test, sources said. Additionally, in cases when PM Modi carries out a rally - all the officials present on the stage will also need to show their RT-PCR test. India's active coronavirus cases have climbed to 7,121, with Kerala fighting the latest resurgence of infections - followed by Gujarat and Delhi. According to the data available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 306 new cases were added to the active case count since Friday. Kerala has recorded 2,223 cases, Gujarat 1,223, Delhi 757, and West Bengal 747. Maharashtra has recorded a total of 615 cases so far, while Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have reported 459 and 229 cases, respectively. Tamil Nadu has reported 204 cases, Puducherry 10, Haryana 125, Andhra Pradesh 72, Madhya Pradesh 65, and Goa six. Official data shows a total of 74 deaths since January due to the deadly virus so far, which began in 2020. Experts have warned that senior citizens are at the highest risk of contracting coronavirus. While states are on alert, officials have said that the coronavirus cases are mild in nature and there is no need to panic. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said the genome sequencing of samples in the west and south has shown that the new variants are sub-variants of Omicron, a strain that was behind the big Covid wave in India in 2022. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1, ICMR chief Dr Rajiv Behl said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dhyanguru Raghunath Guruji starts awareness campaign on domestic, chemical, medical waste segregation
On World Environment Day, spiritual leader and environmental activist Dhyanguru Raghunath Guruji launched a national awareness initiative focused on the segregation of household chemical and medical waste. The campaign, starting from Pune, aims to educate citizens across urban and rural areas about the hazards of improper waste disposal and the need for structured segregation at the source. Raghunath Guruji, who has blended spirituality with science, has been at the forefront of environmental activism since 2014. Known for integrating scientific thought into Indian cultural and spiritual practices, Guruji raised the issue of separating chemical and biomedical waste at a time when the focus was only on wet and dry waste. His efforts have since been adopted in various regions across India. According to government data, India generates over 700 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, with a significant portion originating from households. Similarly, around 7.9 million tonnes of hazardous chemical waste is produced annually. Household items such as expired medicines, used syringes, batteries, paints, body sprays, pesticides, shampoos, and cosmetics significantly contribute to this waste and have a serious impact on air, water, and soil. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free Chess. No Ads. Just Fun Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo Guruji emphasises that segregating medical and chemical waste at the household level is no longer optional—it is essential. Through his initiative, he encourages families to maintain separate dustbins: Yellow bins for medical waste Red bins for chemical waste Composting and recycling for organic and dry waste He has called upon citizens, NGOs, educational institutions, municipal bodies, political leaders, and industrial stakeholders to join hands in this critical mission. Weekly collection systems, proper incineration, and neutralisation or recycling of chemical waste are key components of the plan. 'Waste is not just a household problem—it's a public health and environmental emergency,' says Guruji. 'Protecting the environment means securing our future.' This month-long campaign will run in various parts of Pune and gradually expand across the country, with the goal of achieving a 'Waste-Free Environment' for India.
