THUNDER BAY — With many getting set for the holidays, the risk of contracting the flu, RSV or COVID-19 is still prevalent.
At the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, infections disease manager Karen Battigelli says the city's numbers for flu are on par with the rest of the province.
"I think that we're probably very similar as the rest of the province and seeing a rise in influenza reports as well. RSV is not reportable to the public health system unless it's sort of an outbreak situation. However, we are seeing wastewater numbers go up."
Battigelli noted that COVID-19 cases have been fluctuating with peaks and valleys in case numbers.
"We see weeks where it's quite high, and then we see other weeks where it's trending kind of downwards, and last week was sort of a trend with that as well."
When it comes to cases of influenza, the health unit is seeing rising numbers, but not compared to last year.
"Last year, influenza really spiked in October [and] November, and then it did a sharp decline. We were seeing really high numbers last year. I would not say that we're at that level again this year so far." said Battigelli.
At the regional hospital, the emergency department has noticed an increase in patients coming in with respiratory illnesses.
Hospital CEO Rhonda Crocker Ellacott noted a double-digit increase over last year.
"So we look back to November of 2022, we would see about 240 patients a day in the emergency department. Now, we're seeing about 270 patients. So a little over 10% increase in patients."
There's also been an uptick in the number of young patients coming in.
"We're really seeing a significant increase in patients presenting with respiratory illness and, in particular, seeing an increase in patients that are five and under and with RSV, flu-type symptoms and other respiratory illnesses."
The pediatric unit is running over capacity, she said.
"We are seeing a significant impact, and in fact, in the pediatric population, we actually have a capacity of over 200%," Crocker Ellacott noted.
"Typically, we operate 12 pediatric beds; we have a plan in place to be able to operate 18 beds. We're actually operating over 24, and we have additional plans that we're able to operate within in order to meet the patient care needs."
While there is an increase in patients visiting the hospital, the CEO noted that illness hasn't been plaguing staff beyond what might be expected in a hospital setting.
The health unit reminds people to continue screening for symptoms, hand washing routines and other's learned over the past few years as a result of the pandemic.
"Stay home if you're not feeling well and definitely, covering your coughs, those methods, all do work if they are practiced," said Battigelli,
"Continuing wearing a mask for 10 days after the onset of your sickness is helpful, masking in large gatherings, if it's comfortable for you, does assist with keeping viruses at bay."
She also noted as a reminder to stay away from those in high-risk settings like long-term care centres and retirement homes.
Vaccine clinics are still available through the health unit.
With files from Gary Rinne, TBnewswatch
