Even with the warmer weather on the way, influenza numbers continue to rise in the province.

185 new cases of influenza have been reported in the province, which brings the provincial total up to 2,208 from September 1st, 2015. As of January 2015 1,159 cases where reported, up from the 29 cases as of mid-January 2016. 

Most new cases of the flu have come from children between the ages of 5 to 19 years old and seniors 65 and older.

Two people in Saskatchewan were admitted to an Intensive Care Unit due to influenza, as well as 3 outbreak cases in long-term car facilities.

West Central Online spoke with Chief Medical Officer with the Heartland Health Region Dr. Torr, who mentioned that certain symptoms can indicate that one is infected with the flu, rather than just the common cold.

"If you feel for example, when you are coughing that there is a sharp pain in your chest or you've got a very sore throat, that is all indication to check with you doctor and say something is really going off here. Or if you've got a very high fever or a really throbbing headache and muscle pain, then it might be more complicated then you think. You might assume it is the common cold, and it might actually be influenza."

Symptoms of influenza are as follows.

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body/muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches