A “complicated” flu season has officially begun in Huron-Perth, the region’s health officials say.
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A “complicated” flu season has officially begun in Huron-Perth, the region’s health officials say.
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Huron Perth Public Health on Friday publicly confirmed the first case of influenza in the area, meaning the virus is circulating here.
It’s not the only one either.
“We can all expect this respiratory season to be more complicated as influenza, COVID-19 and other viruses … circulate at the same time,” said Dr. Miriam Klassen, Huron-Perth Health Officer, in a press release. “I encourage all residents six months and older to get the flu shot this fall. It’s the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from a serious flu illness.”
Flu shots are currently available for patients and staff in hospitals, residents and staff in long-term care homes, and those at high risk of flu-related complications. That will change on Tuesday, however, when the annual Jabs will be available to everyone six months and older.
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The flu vaccine will be available through GPs and pharmacies. For families with children between six months and two years who do not have access to a GP or nurse, Huron Perth Public Health has scheduled two clinics next month, one in Clinton on November 14 and one in Stratford on November 14 21
The health department will not offer flu vaccination clinics to the general public, officials said Friday.
Ontario’s top doctor, meanwhile, has warned the coming months could be difficult due to rising cases of COVID-19 among other circulating respiratory viruses.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore has urged people to get their COVID-19 and flu shots when they are eligible. Moore said earlier this month he hopes to get as high an intake as possible because the flu vaccine is usually quite effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization.
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“We really need it this year of all times because it’s going to be a complicated year as we try to get back to normal life with all the respiratory viruses this fall and winter,” Moore told the Canadian Press.
Earlier this year, the Ontario government — in consultation with Moore — eased restrictions such as gathering and capacity limits, vaccination record requirements and mask requirements, then lifted them except in nursing homes. This fall and winter is expected to be the first since the pandemic began without these measures being taken.
The province is seeing a “slow and progressive increase” in the number of COVID-19 cases, test positivity and the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units with COVID-19 this week, Moore said.
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Moore isn’t ready to declare an eighth wave just yet, but said the increase in COVID-19 activity in Ontario is being driven in part by omicron subvariants BA.2.75 and BQ.1.1. They each account for about five percent of Ontario’s cases, but appear to be more communicable and contagious.
In preparation for the upcoming flu season, Ontario has ordered more than six million flu shots, down significantly from last year. In 2021, Ontario ordered 7.6 million flu shots — 1.4 million doses more than the year before — after a big uptake in 2020.
Interest has been down over the past year due to a decrease in flu activity in recent years, Moore said. This year’s order size is “more realistic,” he said.
The Department of Health said flu vaccination was around 30 percent for several seasons before the pandemic. It rose to nearly 39 percent when COVID-19 hit in 2020 but fell to 29 percent last season.
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Moore said he specifically hopes that at least 80 percent of older Ontarians will be vaccinated against the flu this year.
Huron Perth Public Health reported three new COVID-related deaths this week. Two have been linked to an outbreak at the Ritz Lutheran Villa in Mitchell, the health unit confirmed. The third was a communal death.
The new deaths bring Huron-Perth’s total since the pandemic began to 133.
At the time of Wednesday’s data update, eight COVID-19 outbreaks were active in the region, six in nursing and retirement homes and two others in unnamed residential communities.
Klassen is scheduled to host a media briefing on this year’s respiratory season on Tuesday afternoon.
-With Canadian Press files
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How to “layer” and protect yourself this season with respiratory illnesses:
- Stay home when ill.
- Wearing a mask for 10 days after the onset of respiratory illness symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test result, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Also, consider wearing a mask indoors if you’re at higher risk of serious illness or interacting with the elderly or immunocompromised.
- No visits from immunocompromised individuals or high-risk facilities such as nursing homes for 10 days after your illness.
- Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after touching your face or commonly touched surfaces.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as toys, doorknobs, light switches and cell phones, especially when someone is ill.
- Avoid crowded indoor spaces
- Maintain physical distance.
- Stay up-to-date on any vaccinations you are eligible for.
Source: Huron Perth Public Health
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