By Canadian Press

Respiratory illnesses surge beyond pre-pandemic numbers in Nunavut

Dec 15, 2022 | 2:12 PM

IQALUIT, Nunavut — Nunavut health officials say there has been a surge of respiratory illnesses across the territory this year.

Dr. Sean Watchel, the territory’s chief public health officer, says cases of respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, along with the flu and COVID-19 have increased dramatically.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 142 cases of RSV in Nunavut.

Watchel says there have been 493 infections and 86 hospitalizations so far this year.

COVID-19 infections have also increased to 3,155 known infections and 84 hospitalizations in 2022, from 598 cases last year.

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Watchel says flu cases this year have nearly tripled pre-pandemic numbers with 634 infections. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2022.

The Canadian Press