Top doctor warns Ontario to ‘remain vigilant’ as flu trends decline

As COVID-19 and flu cases decline across Ontario, the Chief Medical Officer of Health is warning residents to “remain vigilant” as a more transmissible variant progresses.

In a statement released Thursday, Dr. Kieran Moore says several parts of the province continue to see a hike in the number of cases of the more transmissible XBB.1.5 variant of the coronavirus.

While the new variant has not been linked to more severe illnesses, Moore says infections could increasingly spread as it becomes the main variant in Ontario.

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Hard-hit hospitals are starting to improve in the province, as it’s currently seeing a decline in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and flu activity cases.

Ontario pediatric hospitals are now boosting surgeries following a three-month surge of RSV and flu cases forced them to redeploy staff to emergency departments and intensive care units.

Moore says flu cases peaked towards the end of November and have since declined.

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