Heavy snowfall, condensation and humidity coming together in difficult environment for people with stomach ailments
A new respiratory syndrome is washing up in the Great Lakes region, according to health officials, in the US’s most populous state, with the highest number of cases since May 2017.
There have been 1,031 new cases of the “parasitic” respiratory illness, the highest number since May 2017, said Dr David Williams, Ontario’s medical officer of health.
Heavy snowfall, condensation and humidity coming together in the region’s wet and humid conditions have all been factors, according to the public health agency, but Williams said the other side of the coin has been cold temperatures, which helps to clear away excess humidity.
A triage centre was opened on Christmas Eve, with approximately 700 Ontario residents attending for flu-like symptoms. The centres are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, said the public health agency, and will provide access to physicians, specialised services, treatment and assistance with delirium. The centres are available to residents of the Niagara regions in Western Ontario.
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Patients are generally seen within five to seven days, said Williams, but a large outbreak can last anywhere from three to 14 days. The seriousness of COVID-19 varies from person to person; about half of cases are mild, and 40% could be more serious. Victims can develop mild flu-like symptoms; others can have more intense symptoms.
“What we’re seeing now is very similar to last year,” said Williams.
Williams also has a chilling warning. He says anyone from any age group should be prepared for the winter’s cold weather, regardless of how well you’ve been trained to manage cold symptoms.
“This is not typically a mild respiratory illness,” he said. “These respiratory illnesses can be very, very serious.”