HURON-PERTH – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as colder weather approaches. Adding another wrinkle into the mix is the upcoming influenza season, with the flu sharing some similar symptoms as the coronavirus itself.
Huron-Perth Public Health (HPPH) Medical Officer of Health Dr. Miriam Klassen outlined during HPPH’s bi-weekly media teleconference on Oct. 27 that one of the best ways to curb those symptoms in the first place is for residents to receive their vaccinations. For both influenza and the double jab for COVID-19.
“The most important thing is for everybody to stay home when they’re sick,” she said. “That is all of our civic duty; when we wake up and self-screen and say to ourselves, ‘do I have any of these symptoms?’
“We’re going to get through it. Our COVID rates are under much better control now, and our vaccination rates are high. It would also be very helpful is everyone got vaccinated against influenza. The health system has been preparing for this.”
As of Nov. 1, HPPH reported 2,340 cumulative cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, while the region has had 67 total deaths related to the virus. There are 33 active cases in Huron-Perth as of Monday; 20 of those are related to two school outbreaks at Milverton Public School (cases reported in one staff member, 12 students) and Huron Christian School in Clinton, which has seven student cases of COVID-19.
Over 205,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in the region to date.
“Vaccination is our quickest path out of this pandemic,” said Klassen, adding that additional containment measures can be taken on a region-by-region basis should infection rates increase. She also pointed out that the majority of new cases continue to be within the non-vaccinated or partially-vaccinated demographics. “If we see that cases are increasing in Huron-Perth, we may take additional measures targeted to Huron-Perth.”
Klassen said that with flu season arriving, residents should be especially mindful of symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss or impairment of taste or smell. For adults, unusual aches and pains should not be dismissed, while in children gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea will likely warrant further investigation and precautionary measures.
“If someone has those symptoms, you really should be tested for COVID,” she said. “If someone has other symptoms, things like sore throat or a runny nose, the important thing is first that you should stay home. Don’t spread it around, whatever it is. For some people, it may make sense to be tested for COVID.
“It’s going to be complicated. That’s what our primary care providers are there for as well, to help guide us.”
