DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard
KAWARTHA LAKES: The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) has their first lab-confirmed case of Influenza in the health unit area in nearly two years.
The first confirmed case of the 2022 flu season was announced last week. An HKPR press release, sent out on Thursday, March 24th, stated, “No flu activity was reported across the Health Unit region during the 2020-2021 influenza season.”
Influenza could have been dormant until now, because of the public health measures people implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“All of the public health measures we’ve had in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 have been also incredibly effective at preventing transmission of Influenza,” local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Natalie Bocking told reporters during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, March 23rd.
In a statement, Dr. Bocking lists “masking, physical distancing, increased handwashing” and limiting large gatherings as ways people can limit the spread of influenza and COVID-19.
“With influenza now circulating in the region and most COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the Health Unit encourages area residents to keep up their efforts to stop the spread of illness,” the press release stated.