Respiratory Illness Data Tools

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

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 (hospitalizations, deaths, and ICU and hospital bed occupancy)
  • COVID-19 vaccination and dose administration.
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.

Huron Perth Respiratory Illness Dashboard

You can also visit our Tableau site directly: Huron Perth Public Health Respiratory Activity 2023-2024

Tracking respiratory activity in Huron and Perth Counties

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 starts Sunday August 27 (week #35).

The surveillance data shown in this tool is tracked and displayed according to this yearly cycle. Data will be updated weekly every Wednesday until respiratory illness activity goes down, typically at some point in the spring. Data will then be updated every two weeks.

While COVID-19 is not recognized as a seasonal respiratory virus, like influenza and other respiratory viruses are, data for COVID-19 are reported using the same surveillance periods.

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