Please find below Peel Public Health’s respiratory illness season key messages and data highlights for the period of March 8 to March 14.
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 10, respiratory activity in Peel was low overall for influenza and COVID-19 while RSV continued to circulate at moderate levels. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for the general population are available at participating pharmacies and primary care clinics. COVaxON will be decommissioned on March 13, 2026. COVID-19 vaccine providers must transition to the new Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW). Providers who have not received training details should contact [email protected] 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 10, influenza and COVID-19 activity in Peel was low, overall; RSV activity was moderate. Percent positivity in week 10: influenza was 3.4%, COVID-19 was 4.2%, and RSV was 6.3%. Six new outbreaks were declared in week 10, which was similar to the previous week. ED visits due to ILI and respiratory symptoms in week 10 remained low. Detailed epidemiologic updates continue to be posted 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 continues to accept orders for influenza and RSV immunizations. Due to decommissioning of COVaxON, COVID-19 vaccine distribution is currently paused until April 2026. Place your vaccine orders through the Peel Health Professionals Portal. Orders can 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://peelregion.ca/health/diseases-infections/flu COVID: https://peelregion.ca/health/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccines Attention COVID-19 vaccine providers: Effective March 13, 2026, COVaxON is decommissioned. In April, a new Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW), will go live and must be used to manage COVID-19 vaccine inventory and reporting of administration. Providers should have received transition and training details by email from the Ministry of Health. Organizations should complete all steps as soon as possible to be ready to administer spring high-risk COVID-19 vaccines using PGW. If you have not received this information, or have questions related to PGW, please contact [email protected] |
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