Windsor dealing with flu outbreaks

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is already reporting its first flu-related fatality of 2018.

One person died at the Windsor Regional hospital two days after an outbreak was declared.

There were six deaths attributed to the flu last year in Windsor-Essex County.

There has been more than 10 cases that have been recorded since the new years, according to the health unit records.

The health unit is encouraging people to get the flu vaccine to lower the risk of getting sick. The vaccine is available at 90 drug stores, with family physicians, nurse practitioners and at walk-in clinics. Anybody over 5 years can have the vaccine to prevent themselves from having flu.

There are things you can do to lower your risk of getting the flu such as washing your hands regularly, keeping them away from your face, keep surfaces disinfected and if you are sick, stay home.

Some of the patients at Windsor regional who were considered contagious have improved, while others have been discharged.

The hospital’s manager of infection prevention and control says in the past three days there have been no new cases among patients or staff.