More than 10 people lost lives from the flu in Windsor this year

The Windsor health unit reports an estimated of 10 people lost their lives from the flu this year.

Lora Piccinin, manager of infectious disease prevention at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said all 10 deaths have been linked to outbreaks in long-term care homes.

“I believe there’s been others perhaps in the hospital system. I am aware there has been some death of clients in the hospital, so there are probably more than 10 deaths in the hospital,” said Piccinin.

Picinin also said they have been monitoring school activities and found a change in the absentee rate.

“There have been up to 12 schools that have had greater than 10 per cent absentees due to student illness. We don’t necessarily confirm that it’s flu but there is flu-like illness in the schools as well,” said Piccinin.

Josie Richards, student at the St. Clair College said she understands it is a seasonal virus and believes anybody could get sick.

“I personally don’t get the flu-shot just, because I was not brought up getting a flu-shot,” said Richards.

She said she caught the flu virus earlier this year and fell sick for a week. Soon after, her partner got sick too.

“My partner had the flu after me, probably caught it from me. Luckily my son was spared, he didn’t get sick. But still, we don’t get the shots,” said Richards.

The health unit recommends the flu shot as a way of reducing your flu risk.