By Canadian Press

Tam warns of flu upswing, new COVID-19 variants as viral triple threat continues

Nov 10, 2022 | 10:02 AM

OTTAWA — Canada’s top doctor is warning of “increased growth” in new COVID-19 variants and an upswing in seasonal influenza cases, just as a surge of respiratory syncytial virus inundates hospitals.

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the triple threat of all three viruses is posing a challenge for the health system in several parts of the country and points to the need for “stepped up precautions.”

Although a recent surge of COVID-19 cases seem to have “plateaued,” Tam says emerging Omicron variants BQ.1.1 and BF.7 are on the rise.

Meanwhile, above-seasonal cases of the common childhood illness of RSV is especially high, with pediatric centres inundated with young patients. 

She also noted influenza cases have “increased steeply” and are accelerating, with more than half of detected cases involving children and teens.

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The most recent figures from public health show the flu positivity rate in mid-October was five per cent. Tam says that’s approaching the seasonal threshold for an influenza epidemic. 

Tam says the resumption of school, work and indoor gatherings has invited more viral circulation, and she stressed the importance of personal protective measures including indoor masking and COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

“There’s a dynamic interplay with these viruses and we actually don’t fully understand these dynamics when they are occurring together,” said Tam.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2022.

The Canadian Press