SUDBURY -- The arrival of the coronavirus is something public health officials across the province say they are taking very seriously.
The medical officer of health for Public Health Sudbury and Districts Penny Sutcliffe said "‘We are involved in regular updates and teleconferences with our Ministry of Health and provincial counterparts, so we want to make sure we are ready,"
She goes on "we are not assuming something won’t happen here,...but this is a really small world with regards to global travel et cetera and we need to make sure that we are ready and that’s we are prepared."
Dr. Sutcliffe adds it’s important not to stigmatize the coronavirus.
“Thinking that there are people who are ill, people tragically who have died from this. She said, adding "This is a virus it doesn’t stigmatize, it doesn’t discriminate and it’s a virus to which we are all susceptible,"
As for the regular flu season, 32 cases have been confirmed by lab testing by the public health unit, but officials know the number is much higher because many people are not tested for it.
“Definitely flu is in full force right now we are seeing lots of cases, about the same as we saw this time last year. In the Sudbury District we have a mix of influenza A and B which is change from last year which as predominantly the A strain,” said public health nurse Karly McGibbon.
She adds regular hand washing is one of the best defences and it’s important to practise proper cough and cold etiquette.
“Cough in your sleeve or a tissue, stay home if you are sick, clean commonly touched surfaces especially if you have young children.”
Health officials say it’s not too late to get the flu shot which covers both the a and b strains of the flu... but they stress there is no vaccine for the coronavirus right now.
