Ontario's total number of H1N1 cases has jumped to 110, but that represents more than two days of testing.

The total on Friday had been 62. However, all Ontario cases continue to be of the mild variety.

"The significant increase in cases today is happening because we are reporting for two days and the increased lab capacity we put into place last week is allowing us to process a larger number of tests," Dr. David Williams, the province's acting chief medical officer of health, said Monday in a news release.

"Ontarians should continue to protect themselves and those around them by washing hands frequently, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, and staying at home if you're sick."

The cases are distributed as follows (new cases in brackets):

  • Toronto - 34 (9)
  • York region - 18 (4)
  • Peel region - 17 (7)
  • Halton - 11 (7)
  • Durham region - 7
  • Ottawa - 5 (3)
  • Windsor-Essex - 5
  • Sudbury and district - 3
  • Hamilton - 2 (1)
  • Simcoe-Muskoka - 2
  • Hastings and Prince Edward - 1 (+1)
  • Oxford Country - 1
  • Middlesex-London - 1
  • Waterloo -1 (1)
  • Wellington Dufferin Guelph - 1 (1)
  • Leeds, Grenville & Lanark - 1 (1)

The above list shows new cases expanding to three areas where no H1N1 has been reported yet.

Fifty-six males and 54 females in Ontario have contracted the virus, which is the same strain as that affecting people in Mexico and the United States.

The province of about 13 million people has an average of 9,000 cases of seasonal flu per year, with about 500 deaths resulting.

What to do

The symptoms of H1N1 flu (previously known as swine flu) are similar to other seasonal flus:

  • chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue
  • runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation
  • nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children

In severe cases, or in individuals with other medical problems, pneumonia can develop

"As always, in flu season, if you have signs and symptoms, you do the right thing," Williams has said.

Health officials have the following advice for people to avoid spreading any flu-like virus:

  • cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
  • wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way
  • try to avoid close contact with sick people
  • stay home from work or school and limit contact with others if you get sick

Williams said this particularly applies if a person has recently been to Mexico or has had contact with a confirmed case in the past seven days.

People who have recently been to Mexico but haven't shown any symptoms in the past seven days are okay to go to work, he said.

"I've been impressed with the responsibility people have taken in this regard," he said.

Those Ontarians who have general questions about H1N1 flu can call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708.

If someone has flu-like symptoms and believe they may have H1N1 flu, they should call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.