The London region's reprieve from the annual flu season has come to an end.
The Middlesex London Health Unit reported its first laboratory confirmed case of influenza A on Wednesday. This is the first time since March 27, 2020 that a case of the flu has popped up in the city or county.
Public health measures put in place to protect against COVID-19 had the added benefit of stopping the seasonal flu from spreading during the previous flu season. Not one case was found during the reporting period which ran from September 2020 to April 2021.
The new laboratory confirmed case was identified between November 28 and December 4.
Despite the discovery of the area's first case of 2021, influenza activity remains low across the region, the health unit said. Other regions of the province are reporting "sporadic" influenza activity, with both influenza A and influenza B cases having been reported. To date, there have been 23 laboratory confirmed flu cases in Ontario.
In addition to getting the seasonal influenza vaccine, residents can help stop the spread of the virus by frequently washing their hands, coughing or sneezing into their elbow, disinfecting high touch surfaces often, and staying home when feeling sick. It is also recommended individuals continue to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from anyone who lives in a different household and wear a face covering in spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
