A strong recommendation for making at indoor public settings (including schools and child-care centres) has come from Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking, in an effort to combat COVID-19 influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus.
“The focus has shifted from COVID-19 to the earlier-than-normal rise of RSV and influenza, where we are seeing higher numbers of seriously ill children than had been expected,” Dr. Bocking said in the announcement.
“Therefore, I support and strongly recommend wearing your mask at indoor public settings, including schools and child-care centres.
“It's our children, the very young and vulnerable, that require our collective action right now.”
Dr. Bocking's message comes the day after Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore noted that COVID-19, influenza and RSC are actively circulating across the province, contributing to Ontario's pediatric hospitals dealing with an unprecedented surge of sick children in recent weeks. The Hospital for Sick Children just announced on Friday that it would be ramping down surgeries to redeploy staff to those areas.
The majority of those currently affected by RSV and influenza are children aged four and under, who are not able to mask properly. By wearing a mask at indoor public settings – and as soon as respiratory symptoms are noted – we can protect the most vulnerable in our community during this challenging respiratory virus season.
Children under five years of age are most susceptible to respiratory viruses. Decreasing their spread among the adult population decreases the exposure to young children. To help lessen the surging demand on the pediatric health-care system, the health unit strongly recommends the following preventive measures.
Wear a mask at indoor public settings and social settings, as well as in school and child-care centres.
Children aged two to five years should also where a mask when supervised and if they can tolerate it.
Stay up to date on vaccinations, including getting your flu shot as soon as possible.
Screen for respiratory symptoms daily.
Practice good hand hygiene, and clean high-touch surfaces regularly – this is especially important with RSV and flu viruses.
Stay home if you are sick.
Dr. Bocking said that the flu shot is especially important just now.
“Children six months of age and older, pregnant individuals, families and caregivers with young children, health-care workers and elderly, and those with underlying health conditions should get their flu shot as soon as possible.”
Locally, there are many ways to get the flu vaccine.
Dozens of pharmacies in the region provide the flu shot to anyone aged two and older. High-dose flu vaccines for those aged 65 and older are also available at pharmacies,. A complete list of local pharmacies providing the flu vaccine can be found at www.hkpr.on.ca
Contact your primary car provider to see about getting the flu vaccine. Children aged two months to six years can only get their flu shot from a doctor, nurse practitioner or local public health unit.
The health unit is providing immunization clinics for children under the age of five who do not have a family doctor on an appointment-only basis. To schedule a time, call 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.