Please find below Peel Public Health’s respiratory illness season key messages and data highlights for the period of February 1 – February 7.
This summary includes relevant details related to Peel’s respiratory illness landscape. The information is intended to help streamline public health messaging across our Peel system partners. Please reference this material as needed for any respiratory illness status updates and share the information with your respective staff and partners as relevant. Peel Public Health asks that our content not be changed. If supplemented, please indicate which portions are your own and which originate from Peel Public Health.
As this document pertains specifically to Peel’s respiratory season, please refer to the latest updates on Ontario’s respiratory virus situation by monitoring the Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool. For updates across Canada, consult the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report (FluWatch+) on Canada.ca.
Additionally, Peel Public Health encourages health care providers to stay informed by subscribing to our Health Professionals Updates (HPU). This service shares timely and relevant public health information to support health professionals in the community. Interested individuals can sign up by visiting: Subscribe to Health Professionals Update (HPU) emails.
| Data Highlights/Updates/Key Messages | |
| Key Highlights / Messages | In week 5, respiratory virus activity in Peel was moderate overall. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for the general population are available at participating pharmacies and primary care clinics. Eligible individuals should speak with their health care provider about RSV immunization options. Please note: the publicly funded RSV vaccine is not available at pharmacies. No one intervention on its own is 100% effective at preventing the spread of respiratory infections, but practicing multiple public health measures provides the best protection. Community members can: Get vaccinated and stay up to date with vaccinations. Stay home when sick, and if unable to stay at home, wear a mask and avoid vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or immunocompromised. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand. In health care settings, this may include: Return of masking policies and other measures (e.g., active screening) based on local epidemiology and provincial recommendations. |
| Current Peel Respiratory Virus Activity | In week 5, respiratory virus activity in Peel was moderate overall. Influenza percent positivity continued to decrease in week 4 to 3.4%. RSV increased to 9.5% and COVID-19 was similar to the previous week at 6.1%. Five new outbreaks were declared in week 5 (3 COVID, 2 RSV). ED visits due to ILI and respiratory symptoms in week 5 were low and similar to the previous week, as were hospital admissions due to ILI, respiratory, or pneumonia syndromes. Detailed epidemiologic updates can continue to be found weekly on Wednesdays at: Peel Respiratory Virus Activity report . For a list of current (open) outbreaks visit: Ongoing Institutional Outbreaks. |
| Testing eligibility, availability and Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Updates | The Ministry of Health (MOH) recommends a Test-to-Treat approach for respiratory viruses. Individuals must be symptomatic to meet the current eligibility criteria. Refer to the following links for current eligibility: Respiratory Viruses (including influenza) | Public Health Ontario COVID19 testing and treatment | ontario.ca |
| Vaccine Updates | Ordering information/updates: Peel Public Health accepts orders for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations. Place your vaccine orders through the Peel Health Professionals Portal. Orders can now be picked up at any of the following locations: 10 Peel Centre Drive in Brampton 7120 Hurontario Street in Mississauga 325 Central Parkway West, Unit 21, in Mississauga Alternatively, orders can be delivered through a paid courier service offered by Critical Path Ltd. RSV Prevention Programs: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory illness affecting the lungs and airways, particularly among infants, young children, and older adults. Ontario has two prevention programs to help provide protection for these vulnerable populations: Infant and high-risk children (which also includes pregnant individuals) Adults (expanded this year to include all individuals 75 years and older) For more information on the RSV prevention program and where to get immunized visit: https://peelregion.ca/health/diseases-infections/respiratory-syncytial-virus Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine: The influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all individuals 6 months and older. For more information on vaccine recommendations, eligibility criteria and where to get vaccinated visit: Flu: https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r03/___https://peelregion.ca/mjfqymdinxjfxjx-nskjhyntsxdkqz___.YzFjOndpbGxpYW1vc2xlcmhlYWx0aHN5c3RlbTpjm86YzkxMjNlOTY3NjQxOWUzZTRjOGJlYTkwMzdmMjQ1MmE6NzoxMGMyOjMwMTQ1OGM5ZDhmYjU3OWE5ZTVjNTY3OTczYTlmNzQ3NWIzODE2MmYwZTVhNjVhZDAwM2VhMzViMmIxMGVhYjE6dDpGOlQ COVID: https://peelregion.ca/health/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccines |
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