More Nova Scotians likely to get sick in coming weeks as typical respiratory season picks up

‘Tis the respiratory season. 

The number of people who are sick is on the rise in Nova Scotia as people gather over the holidays and cold weather keeps many indoors. 

“We’re really at the beginning of what we think is a typical respiratory season that has multiple different pathogens,” Dr. Jesse Kancir said in an interview. 

Kancir, regional medical officer of health for the eastern zone of Nova Scotia Health, said the increase in the number of people who have a virus has been showing up through lab diagnoses and wastewater surveillance. 

While COVID is definitely going around, Kancir said other viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the flu are also circulating.

According to the latest provincial respiratory watch report (Dec. 17-23), there were 127 new cases of Influenza A, three new cases of Influenza B, 304 new cases of COVID and 91 new cases of RSV. There have been 91 deaths this season due to COVID and three deaths attributed to influenza. 

Kancir said while the respiratory watch report may not show everyone who is sick, that’s not the aim of the report. 

“In the early days of the pandemic, we were so focused on trying to identify every single case of COVID because we were trying to do anything we could to prevent that infection from spreading,” he said.

“We’re at a point now where, given it’s endemic, that ability to try and control doesn’t exist anymore. It’s something we’re learning to live with and so knowing every single case doesn’t do much for protecting the public.”

Kancir said there are also other viruses that cause a cold that typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours that are going around. 

“It is not unexpected and people should expect over the next few weeks and months to be a time when people are going to be more sick,” Kancir said. 

Kancir encouraged people to take the proper precautions to protect themselves. 

“We’ve heard this message now for a few months, but it’s still not too late for people to look for vaccinations,” he said. 

Public Health has recommended people get their COVID and influenza vaccine if they’re eligible – meaning they haven’t had the latest vaccine or virus in the past six months. 

“It is not unexpected and people should expect over the next few weeks and months to be a time when people are going to be more sick.”

– Dr. Jesse Kancir

Kancir said there are plenty of vaccine appointments available across Nova Scotia. People can book an appointment online or by calling 1-833-797-7772. 

Aside from vaccines, Kancir said there are things that “sound like they’re routine measures, but they’re effective,” such as washing your hands.

“We know that the vast majority of these illnesses are picked up from people touching surfaces that may have been touched by someone else who is sick,” he said. 

And while people may take all the precautions, there’s still a possibility they may end up sick.

“If you are sick, and I think this is going to be relevant in the next coming weeks and months, stay at home until you’re feeling better, call in sick for work, don’t send your kids to school, cancel your social plans,” Kancir said.

“It’s an easy and effective way to stop the spread of infection.”

Kancir encouraged people who are sick and can’t stay home to consider wearing a mask.

“And be very conscientious about looking out for other people who may have a bad outcome from an infection: Kids under five, elderly, so over 65, and immunocompromised,” he said. 

Kancir said the number of people who catch a virus will most likely go up in the coming weeks and months, which is the result of a typical respiratory season. 

But Kancir said we’re nowhere near where we were last year, when RSV cases swamped hospitals. 

“Based on the level of disease we’re seeing through epidemiology, things are much better than they were last year and much better than they were previous years.”