As flu cases rise in Waterloo region and area, officials urge people to get vaccinated before the holidays

Listen to this article

Estimated 4 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Flu cases are on the rise in Waterloo region and Guelph-Wellington and health officials are reminding people now is the best time to get flu and COVID shots to ensure protection during the holidays.

New numbers released Friday by Public Health Ontario show that as of Dec. 6 in Waterloo region, there have been:

• 216 lab-confirmed cases of influenza, up 76 cases in the past week.
• 21 hospital admissions, up seven cases in the past week.
• Two outbreaks, although there are no current outbreaks.
• 226 cases of COVID, up 10 cases in the past week.

Public Health Ontario also says the number of tests being lab-confirmed as influenza is “high” with a per cent positivity of 18.7 per cent in the last week.

In the area covered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, Public Health Ontario’s data shows that as of Dec. 6:

• 196 cases of the flu, up 91 cases in the past week.
• 52 hospital admissions for the flu, up 24 cases in the past week.
• One outbreak, although there are none currently.
• 186 cases of COVID, up five cases in the past week.

The per cent positivity for lab-confirmed cases of the flu in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph was at a 30.9 per cent. Anything 25 per cent or over is considered “very high.”

Across Ontario, per cent positivity for influenza cases was 25.8 per cent.

“Influenza A percent positivity is now higher than in any of the past three seasons, with increases across all age groups,” Public Health Ontario says on its website.

“Per cent positive remains highest in children (aged five to 11 years) at 63.8 per cent and adolescents (aged 12 to 19 years) at 54.6 per cent.”

WATCH | Children and teens being hit hard by the flu this fall:

Flu cases surging in Canada and kids are being hit hard

Flu season is hitting children hard, sending a flood of young patients to hospitals. CHEO, eastern Ontario’s children’s hospital in Ottawa, reported eight times more children tested positive for influenza this November compared with the same month last year.

Colder weather forces people inside where viruses spread

David Aoki is the director of infectious disease and chief nursing officer for Region of Waterloo Public Health and he says flu season is starting right on cue this year.

“We start to see cases usually start to pick up around this time,” he said. “The colder weather forces people indoors and can then force people in close contact with each other and encourages a little bit of transmission and so maybe the early cold weather has started that.”

Aoki says it’s important people get their flu and COVID vaccines soon to protect themselves and others over the holidays and new year celebrations where people may be gathering for meals or parties.

David Aoki is the director of infectious disease and chief nursing officer with Region of Waterloo Public Health. He says now is a good time to get the flu shot for the best protection and gatherings with family and friends over the next few weeks. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)

“There are four strains in the vaccine against flu. Early indications maybe that there’s some mismatch, but it’s the best protection we have,” he said.

“Even and especially for people who are very vulnerable, studies have shown even on years that there’s not a perfect match with the virus that’s circulating, that it’s the best defence and it provides protection against serious illness.”

Cases ‘steadily increasing’ across province

Earlier this week, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore issued a statement and said people should take precautions to prevent the spread of the flu, COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other respiratory illnesses.

“Flu season is officially here, and cases are steadily increasing,” Moore said.

“The flu shot remains one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves from influenza,” he added.

“Influenza activity is expected to peak as early as mid-December in some regions. As the vaccine takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, getting vaccinated now will help ensure you are protected when virus circulation is at its highest, while also reducing the spread of illness and protecting those most at risk.”

He added other things people can do to prevent the spread of the flu and other illnesses is:

• Wash hands.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Clean shared surfaces regularly.
• Stay home if you’re sick.

Aoki echoed the need for people to stay home to stop the spread of illnesses.

“I know that’s difficult to say during the holiday season. Always feel like bah humbug, don’t go visiting. But what we really don’t want is to transmit the virus to someone who may be very vulnerable, right?” he said.