H1N1 flu death toll hits 30 in B.C.
The H1N1 flu virus is still circulating around, but the peak of serious new cases has passed.
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Updated: November 18, 2009 7:17 AM
Seven more B.C. deaths are now blamed on the H1N1 flu virus, raising the total killed so far to 30.
Five of the new deaths happened in the past week, while two earlier deaths are now being attributed to H1N1 that were not previously counted due to reporting delays.
Three of the new deaths added to the count were in the Interior, two were in Vancouver Coastal, one was in Fraser Health and one was on Vancouver Island, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
There have now been 755 severe cases requiring hospitalization, with 144 of them in the past week, including 49 new severe cases in Fraser Health and 42 in the Vancouver Coastal health region.
Twenty-three of the swine flu victims who have died in B.C. had underlying medical conditions that made them more vulnerable, while four had no underlying conditions and three more are still under investigation.
Provincial health officer Perry Kendall said the evidence continues to show the peak of H1N1 cases in southern B.C. has passed.
But he urges everyone to get inoculated against the virus as the vaccine is made available to them in order to guard against future waves of swine flu.
The groups eligible for H1N1 vaccinations were expanded this week to include first responders, more health care workers and children or youths up to age 18.
Most healthy adults don't yet qualify for the vaccine.
Vaccinations are expected to open up to everyone who wants it by late November or early December.
Graph: Peak has passed
The number of new patients being admitted to hospital each week has dropped for the first time.
H1N1 severe cases in B.C.
Fraser – 304, including 12 deaths
Interior – 160, including six deaths
Northern – 33
Vancouver Coastal – 203, including seven deaths
Vancouver Island – 55, including five deaths
