Respiratory Illness Data Tools

Use the following tools to learn more about respiratory illness activity locally, provincially and across Canada.

2023-24 Respiratory Season

Integrated Respiratory Virus Risk Indicators for Ontario: March 24, 2024 to April 6, 2024 is the final provincial report for the 2023-24 respiratory season.

Publishing of these provincial data will resume next season. For summary information on COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other seasonal respiratory viruses, please visit the Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool (information below).

Tracking respiratory activity in Huron and Perth Counties

Publishing of Huron Perth respiratory illness activity has also concluded for the 2023-24 season. Surveillance data will be published for the 2024-25 respiratory illness season beginning in the fall of 2024.

The health system’s readiness and response planning for respiratory illness season, including surveillance and vaccination efforts, is part of a regular annual cycle.  [ Seasonal Respiratory Pathogens Readiness and Response Planning Guide | Ontario Ministry of Health] 

This planning cycle typically runs from the first of September in the current year until the end of August the following year. (For example, Sept. 1, 2023 – Aug. 31, 2024). For the 2023 – 2024 season, the cycle started Sunday August 27 (week #35).

Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool

The Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool provides comprehensive epidemiological information of respiratory virus activity in Ontario, including COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses. In this tool you can find:

  • Weekly case trends
  • Laboratory testing
  • Outbreaks

The tool also contains additional COVID-19-specific data including:

  • Outcomes (hospital admissions, deaths)
  • COVID-19 vaccine coverage (up to December 2, 2023, after which vaccine data are not being updated).
Visit the Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool

How to see Huron Perth information in the Ontario respiratory virus tool

Method 1 - view from the map
  • Scroll part way down the page until you reach the light blue menu with purple buttons. 
  • The buttons are labelled Overall, COVID-19, Influenza and Map of PHUs.
  • Select the Map of PHUs button
  • On the map,  select Huron-Perth region. You can select different indicators (e.g. cases, vaccines) in the top left corner. 

Method 2 - filter data in the graphs
  • Scroll part way down the page until you reach the dark blue menu that says Summary, Cases, Lab Testing, Outbreaks, COVID-19 vaccines
  • When you select Cases, Lab Testing, Outbreaks or COVID-19 vaccines, you will have the option in the top left corner to "Filter data in the graph below by Public Health Unit"
  • Select Huron Perth Public Health from the drop down menu.

Gathering Surveillance Data

HPPH receives information about influenza and COVID-19 activity in the following ways:

  • Lab-confirmed cases submitted through local doctors and hospitals
  • Outbreaks at local hospitals, long-term care homes and other facilities

Because not everyone is eligible for influenza or COVID-19 testing, the number of lab-confirmed cases of either virus is only a small portion of people who may actually have influenza or COVID-19.

The number and trend of lab-confirmed cases being is a reflection of the level of influenza and COVID-19 activity in Huron and Perth, however, the actual number of  cases in our region is likely higher.

Additional respiratory illness data sources and reports