Article content

CALGARY — Health officials are confirming five people have died from an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Alberta.

Three of the deaths were in Edmonton, two in Calgary.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Five dead, 965 infected with H1N1 after outbreak in Alberta Back to video

There are now 965 confirmed cases of the flu in Alberta and 270 of those people are in hospital.

Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health, says the largest numbers have been seen in the last three weeks, which is typical in the development of a flu outbreak.

Alberta Health is opening mass immunization clinics again in many communities on Friday.

In addition, free flu shots are available at most drug stores and doctors’ offices.

Predy says they’ll watch what happens when children go back to school, however he stresses that’s not always the best predictor of H1N1 because a B.C. study has shown younger immune systems seem to respond differently.

AHS is also predicting the likelihood of elective surgeries being cancelled, as was the case last week.