Respiratory Illness Media Update

Update on local respiratory illnesses

As anticipated, we are beginning to see a complicated season of respiratory illnesses. 

Influenza
  • Last week, Huron Perth Public Health received confirmation of the first case of influenza (flu) in a Huron County resident. The lab-confirmed result means that flu is circulating in Huron Perth. We have since received additional confirmation of influenza cases.
COVID-19
  • COVID-19 continues to circulate. As of our last update on Wednesday, Oct. 26:
    • There have been 8,846 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Huron-Perth since March 2020
    • There have been 1,583 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Health care workers since March 2020
    • There have been 133 deaths
    • There are 3 active outbreaks in long-term care homes, 3 active outbreaks in retirement homes and 2 active outbreaks in congregate living settings.

Details can be found on our COVID-19 in Huron and Perth dashboard. 

Monitoring respiratory illness

We are also seeing parainfluenza, enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating, in addition to influenza and COVID-19. The province publishes a weekly update of COVID-19 and Influenza Activity that identifies how much illness spread is happening.

Who is at risk?

Certain individuals have a higher risk of respiratory illness.

High-risk individuals include:

  • Older adults (ages 70+)
  • Pregnant individuals
  • Those who haven’t received all of the recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses
  • Those who have a chronic medical condition
  • Those who are immunocompromised
  • Children in daycare or school settings

If you or a loved one fit into the above categories, it is especially important that you layer up for protection.

How to layer up for protection

There are actions we can take to reduce the chances of getting a respiratory illness and reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses. No action on its own is 100% effective all of the time, but by layering actions together we can create very good protection against illness. These layers include:

  • Staying home when sick.
  • Wearing a mask for 10 days after the start of respiratory illness symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test result, or exposure to someone with COVID-19.
    • HPPH also strongly recommends that people wear a mask in indoor settings if you are at higher risk of severe illness, or interact with elderly or immune compromised individuals; especially indoor settings that are crowded, and/or with poor ventilation
  • Not visiting immunocompromised individuals or high-risk settings such as long-term care homes for 10 days after you are sick. This will reduce the chances of spreading illness to this vulnerable population.
  • Staying up to date on all vaccinations for which you are eligible.
    • COVID-19 booster doses are recommended to everyone aged five and over to help restore protection that may have decreased since your last dose. Visit www.hpph.ca/getvaccinated to decide the right timing for you.
    • The bivalent vaccines available are called bivalent because they give you protection against both the original and Omicron strain of COVID. The bivalent does not provide protection against influenza.
    • As of today, influenza immunizations are starting to be available for all Ontarians ages 6 months and older.
      • At health care providers’ offices for those ages 6 months and older
      • At pharmacies for those ages 2 and older
      • If you have a child under the age of 2 and do not have a health care provider, there are two HPPH influenza immunization clinics available; more details are on our website.
      • Please note that we do not offer flu shots at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics.
  • Washing hands often with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after touching your face or high-touch surfaces.
  • Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, light switches and cell phones, especially if someone is sick.
  • Avoiding crowded indoor spaces.
  • Maintaining physical distance

The goal this season is to reduce disease spread to a level that our healthcare system can manage, with minimal public health measures in place. It is up to each of us to do what we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.