In a statement issued Wednesday morning, the health unit says the confirmed case is being reported much earlier than the initial cases before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2018-19 flu season, the health unit reported its first confirmed flu case on December 3. In 2019-2020, the first case was confirmed on November 1. The health unit serves the City of Peterborough, County of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

		Read more: Experts say Ontario could be in for a ‘tough’ flu season 		
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			Experts say Ontario could be in for a “tough” flu season

“We are seeing a very early start to the season and we want to warn our community that a confirmed case usually indicates that flu is already being transmitted,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Thomas Piggott. Story continues below ad “Following trends from the southern hemisphere, we expect influenza to make a strong resurgence this season. We strongly encourage residents to follow guidelines to prevent the transmission of respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19. This includes getting vaccinated with the flu vaccine when it’s available this fall and regularly checking the COVID-19 risk index and guidelines.” Trending Stories

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The health unit said the flu shot will be available later this fall and is free to all eligible residents. Residents over the age of six months will be eligible for a flu shot when available. “Like COVID-19, the flu vaccine is very important in preventing severe symptoms associated with viral infection,” Piggott said. “We strongly encourage those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, the elderly, young children and their caregivers to get the flu shot this fall.” For residents over the age of five, the flu shot and the COVID-19 shots can be given together — there is no specific length of time required to wait between doses. The health facility’s COVID-19 risk index is currently moderate. Piggott says that COVID-19 prevention measures are also effective in preventing a flu infection. Residents are encouraged to:

get the flu shot when available stay up to date on COVID-19 and other common vaccines follow the risk guidance measures recommended in the local COVID-19 risk index wear a tight-fitting N95/KN95 mask to prevent transmission in higher risk environments and indoors when the risk indicator indicates pay attention to indoor ventilation and open windows, regularly operate HVAC and otherwise improve indoor ventilation stay home if you feel unwell wash your hands often clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces frequently

																2:20 Concerns about Ontario’s flu season as flu shot campaign begins Previous Video Next Video
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