WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health officials are bracing for an increase in cases for several respiratory viruses this holiday season.
Rita Isley, chief nursing officer at WDG Public Health, says there has already been a jump in case numbers in recent months.
As people begin to gather for the holidays, Isley says the increase is expected to continue.
She added vaccine rates have dipped since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 90 per cent of 60- to 79-year-olds were vaccinated in 2020-21 in the region. Now, only 35.3 per cent are up to date.
Isley added she has a sense there is a hint of vaccine fatigue at play within the community.
She went on to say specific pockets of the population have been, and remain, statistically less likely to get vaccinated.
11 of this year’s 29 flu cases to date took place the week of November 26th to December 2nd.
There have been 1345 days spent in hospital due to COVID-19 in 2023-24 so far, versus 4487 in 22-23.’
Isley stated she doesn’t anticipate vaccine numbers will be close to where they were peak pandemic this holiday season. She notes vaccine appointments are available in a variety of locations including at local pharmacies or with your family doctor.
