Waterloo Region's top doctor provided an update on respiratory virus infections during a Board of Health meeting Wednesday night.
"Locally, provincially, and nationally -- we are experiencing circulation of COVID-19 and other seasonal respiratory viruses, such as RSV and influenza, at the same time," said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang. "This is resulting in a high volume currently of respiratory virus infections in the community."
Dr. Wang said children being admitted to hospital due to respiratory illness is largely being driven by RSV, and more recently by influenza as well.
"Respiratory syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus. Almost all children normally will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday," explained Dr. Wang. "While most children infected with RSV will not need hospital care, those who are the youngest -- such as those under the age of two, and in particular infants -- are at highest risk of serious illness."
Dr. Wang says through the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, many young kids in the region weren't exposed to RSV.
"The recent large number of children being infected with RSV, on top of continuing COVID-19 infections and an earlier arrival of seasonal influenza, is stressing our healthcare system that has already been strained by battling a pandemic for more than two-and-a-half years."
She said currently, the most recent indicators show COVID-19 is still circulating broadly but that rates fluctuate. Influenza is increasing locally, but RSV infections in children may be starting to slow down.
"We have tools to reduce the risk of severe illness. Stay up-to-date with your vaccines including COVID-19 and influenza, wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, wash your hands frequently, clean high-touch surfaces regularly - this is important for RSV and influenza, and stay home if you're sick," advised Dr. Wang.