CANBERRA’S flu season has spiked early, according to new statistics from ACT Health.
In the week leading up to May 29, the ACT recorded 164 cases of influenza (flu).
Between January 1 and May 29, a total of 855 cases of the flu have been recorded.
Of the 855 cases, 392 (46 per cent) are in the 20-64 age bracket, and people aged between 10 and 19 make up for 33 per cent (or 285).
People between zero and four numbered 52 (6 per cent), the five to nine age group made up for 78 of the flu cases (9 per cent) and people aged 65+ made up for 48 cases (6 per cent).
Cases spiked at only 18 weeks into 2022, the earliest spike in flu season to be recorded since before 2017.
Generally, ACT Health say these positive case numbers represent only a portion of cases of the flu occurring in the community.
The ACT government is offering free flu shots for concession card holders, but other Canberrans will still have to pay for the jab, despite NSW, QLD and Victoria all offering vaccination to the entire population without charge.
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