Swine Flu surge: 18 more deaths in Ontario, 22 in Alberta

A sudden surge in deaths has taken Canada's death toll from Swine Flu to 250. Just two days ago, the total stood at 198. Ontario is reporting 18 more deaths, Alberta 22, and B.C. three more. The additional 52 deaths were reported Nov. 17 to Nov. 19.

OTTAWA – 52 more Canadians have died from Swine Flu to take the national fatalities from the novel pandemic virus H1N1 to 250 from the 198 deaths that were being reported just two days ago. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported the new tally on Thursday, indicating that between Nov. 17 and 11 a.m. EST on Nov. 19, Ontario reported an additional 18 deaths while Alberta reported 22. B.C.’s death toll climbed to 32 with two additional deaths since the last B.C. government report which indicated on Tuesday that there had been 30 deaths across the province. The starling jump in a reporting period of less than three days is the highest national death toll reported since the Swine Flu pandemic hit Canada in a second, more lethal wave. Seven additional deaths were reported in Quebec to take that provinces total fatalities to 65. Quebec’s death toll has jumped significantly in one week. Saskatchewan indicated one additional death for a total of 9. Nova Scotia reported one death for a total of 4. Ontario had previously reported a cluster of 24 deaths in a 72 hour period. The 18 deaths it is now reporting came after a one-week lull in fatalities. A total of 79 Ontario deaths are now blamed the H1N1 virus, with most of them occurring in late October and early November. Experts had predicted the death toll would slow down once vaccination in more vulnerable people kicks in. Authorities could not be reached last night for a comment on the unexpected surge in Ontario and Alberta.