The group representing Ontario hospitals is calling on residents of the province to get vaccinated against influenza, as case numbers continue to climb.
The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) says its member hospitals are seeing a "serious rise" in Influenza cases this year, and its urging people to get their flu shots as soon as possible.
"While COVID-19 and RSV cases remain fairly stable, influenza cases are up significantly," the OHA said in a statement released to the media. "For the week of December 12, the daily number of confirmed patients with the flu was up by 150 per cent. Hospital admissions were up by 84 per cent and the number of newly confirmed admissions to the ICU had increased by 127 per cent. Influenza A positivity is now higher than any of the last three seasons, with increases across all age groups."
According to public health officials, the influenza vaccine is still one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against Influenza. It says even if this year's shot is not an exact match for the predominant strain circulating in Ontario, it is still the best defence against serious illness and hospitalization.
"With flu cases expected to peak as early as mid-December in some regions and given that the vaccine takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, getting vaccinated now is crucial to ensure you are protected when virus circulation is at its highest," the OHA said.
In addition to vaccination, the OHA is recommending people wash their hands regularly, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, staying home when you are sick, and complying with mask mandates at hospitals where they are in place.
