It’s been an earlier start than usual to cold and flu season in Waterloo Region.
Another senior has died from influenza, bringing this year’s tally of flu-related deaths to five – four seniors and one child.
In fact, Waterloo Region leads the province when it comes to having the most reported cases of influenza so far this year.
“This is likely due to the fact that we had an early start to the season,” says Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region’s associate medical officer of health.
The early start to the season has also caught hospitals off guard, as flu sufferers have been packing the emergency room at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener.
“It is safe to say that we all feel measured that, in at least that last couple of years, this has been above average,” says Dr. William Ciccotelli of Grand River Hospital.
What’s causing the spike in confirmed cases of the flu? It could be because attendance at flu shot clinics is down 40 per cent from last year.
“There are public health clinics beginning again in January, but you can also get the shot at your family doctor or pharmacies,” says Wang.
In addition to the crowded ER, Grand River is also dealing with an outbreak of an undenfitied gastrointestinal illness. The hospital’s stroke recovery unit has been shut down since the virus hit.
There have been 13 confirmed cases of the illness in the hospital – two in patients and 11 in staff – which causes Norwalk-like symptoms.
“We are making accommodations. We’re just admitting stroke patients to different areas of the hospital,” says Ciccotelli.
The hospital hopes to reopen its stroke unit by Christmas Eve.
