A child who had tested positive for the flu has died in the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit’s jurisdiction.
The health unit confirmed it to Lake 88 in a statement from Medical Officer of Health Dr. Linna Li that says in part, “Children, especially young children, are at higher risk of severe outcomes due to flu infection; this is also true of the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant people.”
Her complete statement can be found below.
The Doctor is also repeating the plea to get a flu shot.
The health unit is also asking that we take precautions that we’re familiar with: Wear a mask when in public, clean hard surfaces, cover your cough, and if you’re sick stay at home to help prevent the viruses in circulation from spreading.
The following is Dr. Li’s statement: “We are aware of a death in our region of a child who had tested positive for flu. We are saddened by this tragic death. We are not aware of any other flu-related deaths in our region. Death is an infrequent outcome due to influenza infections. Estimates vary from hundreds to thousands of Canadians dying from flu infections per year, depending on the severity of the flu season. Children, especially young children, are at higher risk of severe outcomes due to flu infection; this is also true of the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant people.Our local LGL data suggests that flu is the primary respiratory virus circulating in the LGL region at this time. Because we have not had significant flu circulation in the past two winters, people may be more susceptible to influenza infection than usual. We are currently seeing more cases of flu in the LGL region, and earlier in the year than in typical winter respiratory seasons. The flu vaccine is one of the most important ways people can reduce their risk of both flu infection and severe outcomes. Everyone over six months of age is eligible and strongly recommended to get the flu shot. Other layers of protection against the flu include staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, wearing a mask (which reduces the likelihood that people who are ill will infect others), and cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces”.
– -Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health (acting), Lanark, Leeds and Grenville
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