Are we heading towards a 'twindemic' with COVID-19 and the flu?
The term 'twindemic' became mainstream last year as Canada entered the flu season while it was still grappling with the spread of COVID-19. Health experts expressed concern at the time that the healthcare system would be flooded with patients suffering from both influenza and COVID-19, creating further strain on already-draining resources.
In 2020, Ontario was fortunate enough not to experience a 'twindemic.' In fact, there were very few serious cases of the flu. But will that be the case for 2021?
In this week's episode of Life Unmasked, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore talks about why the province saw so few severe cases of influenza last year, why that should not deter people from getting the flu shot and whether a 'twindemic' is a serious possibility for 2021-2022.
Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University Health Network, also joins the team to discuss how influenza is unpredictable, whether or not hospitals are prepared for a surge in patients and how the flu shot actually works.
Both guests also touch on why it's important to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot—and that one will not protect against the other.
Last year pharmacies throughout Ontario reported shortages of the flu shot, leading the province to order an additional 1.4 million doses for 2021.
While Ontario only saw 25-lab confirmed cases of influenza last season—a significant drop from the thousands typically seen each year—officials still urge residents to get the flu shot.
According to officials, influenza kills an estimated 3,500 Canadians and hospitalizes about 12,000 Canadians a year.
Life Unmasked airs first on the iHeart app every Tuesday morning before becoming available on other streaming platforms. If you have questions for the podcast team, or an idea for an episode, please email lifeunmasked@bellmedia.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.