Local public health services are warning of a rise in respiratory viruses

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Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health are warning that the area is seeing unusual levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community as we head into the long Thanksgiving weekend.

In a media appeal on Friday, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Piotr Oglaza that respiratory pathogens including rhinovirus, enterovirus and COVID-19 are increasing across the province.

“In the past two weeks, respiratory disease activity, as evidenced by emergency department visits for respiratory complaints and hospital admissions for respiratory reasons, has begun to increase and has now reached levels not normally observed until early December,” Oglaza said.

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According to Oglaza, the respiratory virus usually peaks in late December or early in the New Year, but this year there was a variation in that pattern.

He said scientists don’t agree on the reasons for the changing patterns this year, but what matters is adapting behavior to the changes.

“There is no good explanation or known as to why there is this difference in the timing and course of the respiratory season,” he said. “What’s most important is to know that this pattern is coming sooner than usual. It should remind everyone to think about how to keep each other safe, especially in the context of the upcoming bank holiday weekend with the potential for more social interactions.”

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Oglaza warns that some people will be very vulnerable to circulating respiratory viruses and that steps must be taken to protect these individuals.

“There are some individuals in our community who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory pathogens,” he said. “There are treatments available and we encourage anyone who may be (susceptible) to have a preliminary discussion with a healthcare provider and seek treatment if necessary.”

Heading into the long weekend, Oglaza said practicing infection prevention measures is important to protect the health of vulnerable community members.

These measures include checking for symptoms of illness, staying home if you are ill and for 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, wearing a mask for at least 10 days after you are ill, and practicing basic hand hygiene.

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Oglaza also encourages everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza as soon as they are eligible.

Precautionary measures are especially important for those visiting loved ones in long-term care facilities as there are currently five active outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Kingston area.

“Unfortunately, during the respiratory season, these outbreaks have always been the order of the day,” Oglaza said. “It is very important right now that anyone considering visiting loved ones who live in these congregation environments be aware of the symptoms and, if symptomatic, defer the visit to protect these vulnerable individuals.”

For those interested in getting vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, vaccination schedules and clinic locations are available online through public health services and through participating pharmacies. Influenza vaccinations will be available to vulnerable people and medical workers in the coming weeks and to the general public in the next month.