For Immediate Release
Friday, February 21, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | Windsor, Ontario
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has observed a significant increase in cases of influenza reported within the region. To date in 2025, the WECHU received more than double the number of reported cases of influenza compared to this time last year.
The health unit is reminding residents that respiratory illness season is ongoing and there is still time to protect yourselves and those around you. The WECHU is working closely with local hospitals who have seen a significant rise in Emergency Department (ED) visits for respiratory illnesses. In this regard, hospitals are also reminding residents with non-emergency concerns to consider whether the ED is the best option for them. Additional options such as Health811, virtual care clinics, or walk-in clinics may be able to provide the appropriate level of care without the need to access the ED, more information on these options can be found on the Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare websites.
Getting vaccinated for flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the best ways to prevent serious illness and avoid hospital visits. In Ontario, the flu vaccine is free for people who live, work, or study in the province. Residents are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or local pharmacy about getting the flu shot if they have not been vaccinated. In addition, publicly funded doses of COVID-19 & RSV vaccines are also available to eligible individuals.
Along with staying up to date with vaccinations, the health unit is reminding residents to stay home when they are feeling unwell and to wear a mask until 10 days from symptom onset, to wear a mask in crowded or indoor places especially if you are at higher risk of infection, to wash hands frequently, to cover coughs and sneezes, and regularly clean high touch surfaces.
For more information on vaccination and ways to help prevent illness, visit wechu.org.
QUOTES
“At Erie Shores HealthCare, we have taken proactive steps to manage the increased demand for care, including expanding our capacity by utilizing unconventional treatment spaces, utilizing the Mobile Medical Clinic on-site, and ensuring our healthcare teams are equipped to respond efficiently. While Emergency Department volumes remain high, we want to assure the community that those experiencing a medical emergency should not hesitate to seek care by visiting their nearest emergency department or calling 911. Patients are always seen based on the severity of their condition to ensure that those in urgent need receive timely treatment.”
Kristin Kennedy
President and Chief Executive Officer
Erie Shores HealthCare
"The general public's cooperation and assistance is critical during this heightened flu season. In addition to getting vaccinated, I encourage everyone to practice good hygiene, consider wearing a mask while at the hospital, stay home if you are sick and try to limit the number of visitors if you are a family member is hospitalized. For our part, HDGH opened surge beds in September and more in January for a total of 25 unfunded beds to assist in alleviating the pressures being experienced throughout the regional hospital system."
Bill Marra
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
“Windsor Regional Hospital continues to experience high volumes during the current flu season. We have specific visitor restrictions in place for our paediatric and neo-natal intensive care units as well as other visitor guidelines which can be found here: https://www.wrh.on.ca/VisitingHours.
We encourage residents with non-emergency concerns to continue to check out alternatives to the Emergency Department such as those found here: https://www.wrh.on.ca/ED-Alternatives. For emergent issues as always please come to the Emergency Department or call 911. Our ED wait times can be found at: https://www.wrh.on.ca/EmergencyWaitTimes.
Please continue to follow the advice of WECHU and all our hospital partners by taking precautions to reduce the spread of viruses this season.”
Karen Riddell
Acting President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Nursing Executive
Windsor Regional Hospital
“The WECHU is working closely with our hospital partners to monitor influenza rates and outbreaks across the region. During this particularly challenging influenza season it is critically important that all residents take precautions to keep themselves safe. First and foremost, this involves getting vaccinated if you have not already done so. Taking additional measures to protect our most vulnerable residents like older adults, and those with chronic conditions will also help to limit the spread and prevent ED visits and hospitalizations.”
Dr. Ken Blanchette
Chief Executive Officer
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit