For the first time since the H1N1 pandemic, hospitals in Ottawa have activated a clinical command centre to help deal with the spread of flu cases in the capital. Hospitals cancelled some elective surgeries last week as emergency departments managed up to a 30 per cent increase in visits. Ottawa Public Health reports an additional 15 lab confirmed cases of the flu since Friday.
Dr. Doug Sider with Public Health Ontario says the worst may not be over.
“Certainly in the last couple of weeks, some places like Ontario we’ve seen them peak and hope less and less influenza cases. But other parts of the province aren’t at peak yet," said Dr. Snider.
There are now 281 lab confirmed cases of the influenza in Ottawa. The flu bug has struck long term care and retirement homes especially hard with more than 33 outbreaks. The flu has led to five deaths in Ottawa this season.
The City of Ottawa is adding three additional public flu clinics this week:
|
Date |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday, Jan. 14 |
Holy Trinity Catholic High School |
3:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. |
|
Thursday, Jan. 17 |
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School |
3:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. |
|
Saturday, Jan. 19 |
City of Ottawa Facility |
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
