‘We’ve officially entered flu season’ says Ottawa Public Health

Ottawa Public Health and hospital officials are urging people to get the flu shot, as respiratory viruses circulate. CTV’s Peter Szperling has more.

Ottawa Public Health says flu season has officially started in the capital.

“We’ve officially entered flu season,” deputy medical officer of health at Ottawa Public Health Laura Bourns told CTV News Ottawa.

“We are seeing very high levels of flu right now in our community.”

Influenza activity increased this past week, which health officials say is earlier than in years past.

“We have seen the onset of flu season this year a little bit earlier than we have in past years and we are seeing we are maybe a few weeks or a month ahead of where we were last year,” Bourns says.

While the flu season has started earlier this year than in recent years, Bourns says this is not entirely out of the ordinary.

“It’s not that unusual,” says Bourns, who notes that flu season can begin anytime from November to January.

Tammy DeGiovanni, senior vice president for clinical services and chief nurse executive at CHEO says the hospital has also seen “a huge increase in respiratory cases.”

“A portion of those are influenza and needing to be admitted to the hospital,” DeGiovanni said. “So, our emergency volumes much, much higher.”

DeGiovanni says while some patients are vaccinated, many of the flu cases the hospital has seen are from children who did not receive their flu shots.

“So, it’s absolutely worthwhile in getting your vaccine this year,” DeGiovanni said.

With the holiday break just weeks away, officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, if they haven’t already.

“We have an increased demand this year compared to the previous years, people calling to get the flu shot,” says Pharmacist Ola Alrayyes. “I think because the flu season is arising early this year in Ontario, and people want to get protected before the holiday season.”

To stop the spread of viruses, DeGiovanni says individuals should stay at home when they’re sick.

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