Take care to protect yourself when enjoying the holidays with friends and family.
The Renfrew County District Health Unit says that current indicators show very high and increasing levels of respiratory illness in the area and is urging residents to take precautions to reduce the spread.
The RCDHU’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jason Morgenstern, says that these levels of flu, COVID-19, and RSV are leading to an increase in facility outbreaks and hospital visits.
He adds that “this is a festive time of year, and we want everyone to have a happy and healthy holiday season. We are urging residents to take precautions to reduce the spread of illness by using those layers of protection that we know are effective.”
Some of the ways that you can make sure you don’t give the gift of getting sick this holiday season include:
- Keep your vaccinations up-to-date, including your annual flu shot and the most recent COVID-19 vaccine you are eligible for. It is not too late to be vaccinated, but it should be done as soon as possible to provide protection during holiday gatherings, as our immune systems take 10–14 days to respond to immunization.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Improve indoor air quality and ventilation by increasing your HVAC fan circulation, using an air filtration system like a HEPA filter, and opening a window or door when possible.
- Wear a mask when recovering from illness and visiting high-risk settings like long-term care homes and hospitals. Also, consider wearing a mask in any crowded indoor space.
- Clean your hands often with soap and water, or use a hand rub containing at least 60% alcohol, and avoid touching your face with unclean hands.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects frequently.
The Health Unit also says that antiviral treatment is available for those at higher risk of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19, which you can learn about here.
(written by Kasey Egan)
