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? Email audience@globeandmail.com to see if we can help you.
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.Photo illustration The Globe and Mail. Source images: Getty Images/The Globe and Mail
The latest news:
- Atlantic Canada is still bracing for a peak in flu cases, while rates are beginning to stabilize or decline in other parts of the country. And while COVID-19 is flying under the radar this season in most jurisdictions, Ontario is recording a positivity rate of 13.5 per cent, greatly exceeding the provincial average of 8.5 per cent.
Outlook on RSV, COVID and flu in Canada:
- Flu is stabilizing nationally after dramatic increase into the new year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s updated respiratory virus surveillance report. The proportion of tests that came back positive for flu during the second week of January was 11.8 per cent, same as the week prior. The three territories have the highest positivity rate, at 16.4 per cent, followed by 15.1 per cent in British Columbia, but both areas are observing a decline compared with previous weeks.
- COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, infections have dropped, according to the data that was updated last Friday. RSV dipped to a positivity rate of 9 per cent from 10.8 per cent, and COVID decreased to 8.5 per cent from 9.2 per cent. The prairie provinces have the highest rate of RSV at 11.9 per cent.
Hospitalizations for COVID, RSV and flu:
- There have been nearly 1,200 flu-related hospitalizations across Canada since Aug. 25, according to PHAC. About 90 of those cases have required admission into intensive care units. Forty-three deaths have so far been recorded this season.
- COVID infections have sent more than 4,000 people to hospital with 285 cases requiring intensive care. Nearly 750 deaths have taken place since August, primarily among individuals 65 and older. PHAC does not have any data on severe outcomes related to RSV for the 2024-25 season.
There have been nearly 1,200 flu-related hospitalizations across Canada since Aug. 25, according to PHAC. Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, on July 14, 2023.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Current health guidance:
- Symptoms of flu, RSV and COVID – some of the most common illnesses seen during the winter months – can be very similar, making laboratory testing an important tool to distinguish between them. Flu symptoms generally appear one to four days after exposure, whereas it takes between two and eight days for RSV to become obvious. People with COVID can experience mild or no symptoms.
- Health Canada advises that symptoms of the flu usually include the sudden appearance of fever, cough and muscle aches. Other common symptoms include chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite and a runny or stuffy nose. Some people – and especially children – may experience diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
- RSV typically causes a mild illness with cold-like symptoms, according to Health Canada. People infected with this virus may experience a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, fever, and a decrease in appetite and energy. Infants may appear irritable, and have trouble breathing and eating. RSV in infants and children is a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
- People can start experiencing symptoms from COVID anywhere from one to 14 days post-exposure, and they vary from person to person (depending on your age and the variant, for example). More commonly-reported symptoms include: sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, abdominal pain, and the new loss of smell or taste.
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 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
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 email us at audience@globeandmail.com.