GUELPH – After a lull during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, public health officials are reporting that viruses, including the flu and RSV, are returning to historic levels.
“During the pandemic, we saw seasonally low rates of many respiratory viruses,” stated Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) spokesperson Danny Williamson in an email to the Advertiser.
Now, flu is consistent with pre-pandemic levels, COVID-19 levels are relatively low, and far fewer RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) patients are hospitalized than in November, officials state.
Respiratory illness symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting/diarrhea and abdominal pain.
WDGPH recommends anyone with symptoms complete an online assessment at ontario.ca/self-assessment/, follow the instructions provided, and consult their doctor or primary care provider with medical questions.
Reducing spread
WDGPH recommends people check for signs of illness daily and stay home until:
- a fever passes;
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhea have been improving for 48 hours; and
- other symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.
“Wear a mask in public and when around others for 10 days from when symptoms started,” WDGPH states on its website.
“Avoid non-essential visits to people at high risk of severe illness (seniors, long-term care homes, retirement homes, hospital).”
Officials recommend wearing tight-fitting, well-constructed masks, including after being exposed to a virus.
WDGPH suggests people consider wearing masks in crowded, confined or poorly ventilated indoor public settings.
“Try to gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor areas (like spaces with open windows or HEPA filters),” officials state.
They recommend frequent hand washing or sanitizer use, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and keeping surfaces clean.
Vaccinations
“Immunization for flu, COVID-19 and RSV remains the best way to prevent severe illness,” public health officials state.
They recommend annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children over six months old.
“RSV can be severe in infants, young children and older adults,” officials state.
RSV immunization is available for: infants up to 12 months old and children up to 24 months at high risk of severe illness from RSV, people who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant and who will deliver near or during the RSV season and certain high-risk adults aged 60 and older.
For more information visit wdgpublichealth.ca.
