Flu activity in Ontario is getting stronger by the week with more outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths.

According to the province, 642 cases of flu were reported between December 19th and January 1st. That's a sharp increase from the 302 reported between December 5th and December 18th.

Local officials say they've noticed the jump in cases.

"We've seen a definite uptake in the number of patients that are coming into our emergency department as well as admitted patients who are dealing with symptoms of the flu or other complications," says Mark Karjaluoto, Grand River Hospital Director of Communications.

However, fewer people are taking advantage of public flu clinics. The Urgent Care Clinic on Fairway Road, for example, has offered flu shot clinics three times a week for the last seven weeks. But only about one hundred people have showed up to every session.

For a list of public flu clinics in Waterloo Region, check out the link below.

www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/health.nsf/$All/E72117D440D7996B8525780F0055F4BA?OpenDocument