(Victoria Hospital, Credit: London Health Sciences Cen
Flu season is quickly approaching, and after record low case numbers last year, flu cases are expected to rise again.
The Covid-19 pandemic was the focus for most people over the last couple of years and when asked many Londoners were not concerned about the upcoming flu season.
The London Health Sciences Center is preparing themselves for a busy flu season.
According to Dr. Rod Lim, director of the pediatric emergency department at the LHSC, the flu has become a bit of an afterthought after taking a backseat to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“Covid-19 suppressed the flu tremendously over the past two years, so it really was an afterthought because the cases were so low. But we now know that Covid is here to stay and that people are getting back to a relatively more social lifestyle, going to school and going to work. So we anticipate that the flu season will be a tremendous challenge for the health care system this year.”
Dr. Lim noted that the LHSC monitor flu trends in the United States, and southern states are seeing an earlier than normal appearance of the flu.
“The past two years has really changed the normal pattern of the viruses. And we have seen viruses that we normally see in the winter present all through the summer, which is really unprecedented. So we are a little nervous as to the height and peak of influenza this year, as well as how long it will stay during these winter months.”
A bad flu season would also include heightened wait times in the emergency room. “we’re going to see increased patient volumes and loads, which will put pressures on emergency department bed capacities, so we may see record admissions related to the flu in an already taxed system.” Said Dr. Lim
The Ontario government has announced that flu shots will become available on November 1st.
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