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Canadian federal surveillance data show rising rates of COVID-19, influenza, cough and fever, and enterovirus and rhinovirus infections, while respiratory syncytial virus remains stable at low levels. Health experts say the seasonal increase is expected as autumn progresses, although case levels remain very low and vary by region.
The latest numbers from the federal government shows flu season has arrived, with an increase in cases and cold symptoms. According to the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report published Friday, the number of positive tests “has been increasing” in recent weeks, with COVID-19 seeing a 3.8 per cent spike and influenza at 3.7.
The federal government’s FluWatchers program also saw a 1.5 per cent increase in reported cough and fever symptoms. However, the report said the number of cases remains at “very low levels” and varies by region.
Meanwhile, positive tests for respiratory syncytial virus are “stable at interseasonal levels” at 0.2 per cent. The report includes data from the week ending Sept. 26. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, said the data isn’t surprising.
“We know that there’s going to be a rise in respiratory viruses as we move throughout the fall. We’re already starting to see the very earliest signs of that, especially with COVID and with influenza,” Bogoch said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca on Friday.
“And of course, we don’t need a crystal ball to predict the future. We know that we’re going to see more and more of these viruses, and ultimately, we’ll start to see RSV as well come into the mix. ” The percentage of positive cases for other respiratory viruses are “following historically observed trends,” the report said. The viruses with the highest number of cases are enteroviruses and rhinoviruses , which are continuing to rise.
Bogoch said EV and RV are “very common viral infections” that can cause upper respiratory tract infections or gastrointestinal illness. Among the 52 laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral outbreaks, the majority were associated with COVID-19 at 67.31 per cent. The majority of positive tests for both COVID-19 and influenza came from those aged 65 and older, while more than half of RSV cases were from those four years old and under.
Bogoch said Canada will probably have “a flu season just like we’ve had just about every other year,” but he recommends people still take precautions to protect themselves and others from infections. He said getting vaccinated, staying home when you’re sick, wearing masks and improving the air quality indoors are ways to reduce the risk of getting sick.
“We know what the tools are to get through another respiratory virus season, and we’ll get through this one like we’ve been through many in the past,” Bogoch said.
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