COVID-19 trends in the region remain consistent with last summer and this might be the new norm.
Unlike Influenza, Covid does not appear to have an off-season, with cases popping up year-round.
“Normally your typical respiratory-type viruses, they don’t spread in the summer generally at all, it would be very rare that we would get for example an influenza report in the summer,” explained the Director of Health Protection and Chief Nursing Officer, Diana Gowanlock.
“Our levels are low, they’re pretty stable at a low level, but we’re still seeing COVID cases, whereas other respiratory viruses, often you wouldn’t see it, it would be absolutely nothing in the summer months.”
Before the pandemic respiratory illnesses adhered to seasons with little to no cases recorded after April or May and summer outbreaks being almost unheard of.
Covid has brought a new summer respiratory illness season to the table.
“It is still out there, so still the usual messages of, you know, staying home with your sick, definitely don’t go to a facility like a hospital or long-term care if you’re experiencing any kind of illness,” said Gowanlock. “Washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough, all of those normal layers of protection, they’re all so important all year round.”
The risk of transmitting the illness is lower in the summer with more people spending time outdoors, but it remains present.
“It’s likely something we’re gonna deal with forever,” said Gowanlock. “The trends over the last few years, there’s not really a season, there’s a worse season and then a season that just continues.”
