When the pandemic began, the province tested the population and updated the number of COVID cases daily.
But four years later, it has stalled and the main way to get a snapshot of the COVID scenario is through wastewater.
Mark Servos works in Canada’s Department of Biology and is a research professor in water quality protection at the University of Waterloo.
He said the levels of viruses discovered in the water are reaching Omicron’s peak levels, those of two years ago.
In addition to COVID, Servos said he has tested for the flu and RSV.
“There’s been a pretty dramatic increase in flu in the last few weeks and RSV has also been among the top for a few weeks,” Servos said.
“We are getting into a situation now where [COVID] is high and prevalent, but we have some immunity. Influenza is starting to creep into our community and RSV. So we’re going to have all three of these respiratory viruses all impacting us all at the same time.”
Servos’ crew tests at wastewater plants in Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, and other spots in Toronto.
The results are reported weekly to the public fitness authorities.
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, pediatrician and medical director of fitness and lead executive director of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, explained why it is vital to get a flu vaccine this year.
“We expect the flu to rise and peak around Christmas and continue to rise through the first two weeks of January, which is a typical pattern. So it’s not as bad as last year, but we’re looking forward to a flu season. “saying.
He said they are also seeing an increase in COVID cases.
“Both diseases [COVID and influenza] are preventable through vaccination,” Roumeliotis said.
“That’s why my colleagues across the province are calling on other people to get the flu shot and the COVID vaccine because . . . We’re going to mitigate any sudden outbreak or any simultaneous outbreak of those viruses. “
journalist at Radio-Canada
Aastha Shetty can be reached via email [email protected] or by tweeting her at @aastha_shetty
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