Dr. Natalie Bocking speaking Wednesday from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit said that cases of influenza are being noticed much earlier this year than previous years. Dr. Bocking attributes this to the fact that during the pandemic people were wearing masks and social distancing which helped to fend off the flu. Dr. Bocking also said that COVID 19 disrupted normal patterns of infection that we were used to before COVID 19.
Dr. Bocking also wanted to remind the public that COVID 19 is still with us and we should continue to remain cautious in regards to safeguarding ourselves against the spread of the virus. She reminds people to stay home if you are sick. Dr. Bocking advises people that do have symptoms to wear a mask for 10 days after symptoms have started. Thirdly if you are at high risk of getting infected with COVID 19, Dr. Bocking strongly recommends wearing a mask. Members of the public should also wear a mask when they are in indoor crowded settings and lastly stay up to date with booster vaccines.
Dr. Bocking realizes that we are all suffering from vaccine fatigue and we want COVID to just go away but she says the best way of doing that is by staying up to date with your booster shots. That will keep you out of the hospital.
