Spread of Respiratory Viruses
Ontario is facing extraordinary pressure on the paediatric healthcare system because of the triple threat of three viruses: COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.
Paediatric hospitals are reporting record numbers of children needing care and admission to the ICU because of breathing difficulties from one or more of these viral illnesses.
Residents of Algoma are well prepared to help protect themselves from respiratory infections. The same measures that work for COVID-19 will help in part to keep influenza (flu) and RSV at levels that are manageable for the healthcare system.
This week, the province sounded the alarm and asked for voluntary adoption of these protective measures as a first step.
Following the message shared by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Algoma Public Health would like to reinforce the strong recommendation to mask in indoor public settings.
“There may be fatigue regarding protecting ourselves from respiratory infections, but I urge everyone in Algoma to keep up the fight. Handwashing and wearing a mask in closed spaces, in crowded places, and when in close contact can help keep someone’s daughter or son out of the emergency room,” said Dr. Tuinema, Acting Medical Officer of Health for Algoma Public Health.
What we can all do to help:
- Wear a mask in indoor public spaces and in crowded places such as shopping malls, schools, childcare settings, arenas and grocery stores.
- Children aged two to five should only wear a mask with supervision if they can tolerate masking, and can put it on and take it off.
- The holiday season is quickly approaching, stay up to date with your vaccines for both flu and COVID-19.
- Wear a mask in social settings, especially where babies and children are present.
- When you are unwell, wear a mask at home around young children.
- Stay home when you are sick. Keep your children home from school when they are sick.
- Always practice good hand hygiene.
- Wash commonly touched surfaces, this helps protect against flu and RSV.
