Local health organizations are urging residents to get up to date on all their vaccines, with an increase in respiratory illnesses in the community.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai indicated local hospitals and doctors officers are already seeing increased occurrences, especially among children.
"From my vantage point, we're already in a very serious situation, and I do think it's time for us to try and act and try to mitigate this," said Dr. Nesathurai.
Currently, around 11 per cent of people attending local emergency departments are presenting with respiratory disease. Several respiratory illnesses are circulating in the community, including influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
"What can we do as a community to try to minimize the burden of disease and minimize the strain on the health care system? Two things that people can do is to get up to date on their COVID vaccine and get the flu vaccine," said Dr. Nesathurai.
He continues to recommend staying home when you are ill and wearing a mask indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces.
