Canada’s colder weather goes hand-in-hand with respiratory virus season, with flu, RSV and COVID-19 circulating. While Canadians learned a lot about how to protect themselves from illness during the height of the pandemic, new information released by health care practitioners can help inform decisions, including the availability of flu shots.
We’ll be publishing an update on respiratory virus season at the beginning of each week. Looking for more information on the topic that you don’t see here? E-mail audience@globeandmail.com to see if we can help you.
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The latest news:
- Influenza cases are going up, up, up across Canada. Nearly 25 per cent of tests came back positive in the second week of February, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s respiratory virus surveillance report. Data updated on Friday show widespread activity in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Outbreaks and hospitalizations have jumped, but most of Canada is still bracing for a peak.
- The good news is that cases of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are still on the decline nationally. The positivity rate for coronavirus was 4.5 per cent, the lowest value recorded for COVID-19 since the start of the 2022-23 season, according to PHAC. Meanwhile, 5.9 per cent of tests came back positive for RSV, down from 7 per cent the week prior.
Outlook on RSV, COVID-19 and flu in Canada:
- Flu positivity, which was 24.3 per cent by mid-February, continues to increase and has matched the highest value recorded since the start of the 2020-21 season. The median number of weeks that passed between the seasonal threshold to peak was nine from 2014-15 to 2019-20, reaching an average 31.3 per cent (and maximum 36 per cent). Canada is currently seven weeks passed this season’s threshold.
- Provinces east of Manitoba are experiencing higher levels of COVID-19 activity but levels are low across the country. Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest positivity rate of 7.5 per cent followed by 6.8 per cent in Ontario. Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island had levels between 5 and 6 per cent.
- On the RSV front, Atlantic Canada recorded a positivity rate of 13.1 per cent in the second week of February, which is more than double the national average. The only other region with an upward trajectory is the territories with an 8.1 per cent positivity.
It seems like everyone is sick right now. Why is the flu season later this year?
You’re not alone if you’ve been battling a fever, sore throat and body aches. Flu cases have been increasing rapidly in recent weeks and the worst may still be on its way.
Jesse Papenburg, a medical microbiologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital who specializes in pediatric infectious diseases, said the flu season is relatively late but intense this season. He expects there will be several more weeks of influenza activity as numbers increase at a “very high pace.”
“I don’t know that we’ve hit the peak yet,” said Dr. Papenburg.
Allison McGeer, an infectious disease consultant at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, said it may not be typical that the seasonal flu barrels toward a peak in mid-February but it’s also not uncommon.
“I would say five out of 10 years, the peak is the first three weeks of January. But the other five, it shifts a bit in one direction or the other,” she said. “We had an H3N2 wave in Ontario in 2007-2008 – that’s how long I’ve been watching flu – that actually started the week of March break and lasted until the end of May. So it’s not the usual, but it’s also not uncommon.”
Hospitalizations for COVID-19, RSV and flu:
- More than 2,000 flu-related hospitalizations have been recorded in Canada since last August, including roughly 250 during the second week of February, according to PHAC. About 170 cases have required admission to intensive-care units since last August. Nearly 100 people have died.
- COVID-19 infections have sent nearly 4,250 people to hospital since the start of the season with about 300 cases requiring intensive care. A total 877 people have died, the majority of which were aged 65 and older. PHAC does not have any data on severe outcomes related to RSV for the 2024-25 season.
How to protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory viruses:
- Respiratory viruses can spread from person to person or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as phones, door handles or elevator buttons. To protect yourself and others, Health Canada recommends wearing a well-fitted respirator or mask, getting vaccinated, washing your hands regularly, cleaning high-touch surfaces, improving indoor ventilation and covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing. People are encouraged to stay home when sick.
Seasonal shots:
Flu and COVID-19 shots are available across the country. It is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time. Immunization information for all provinces and territories can be found here:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland
- New Brunswick
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
With files from Kelly Grant in Toronto.
What are your questions about this year's respiratory virus season?
Canada’s colder weather goes hand-in-hand with respiratory virus season – especially with flu, RSV and COVID-19 circulating. The Globe will be publishing an update on respiratory virus season at the beginning of each week, providing information on how Canadians can protect themselves from illness and new information released by health care practitioners.
Have a seasonal illness-related question for our reporters? Share it below, or e-mail us at audience@globeandmail.com.