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Public Health Guidelines as Cold/Flu Season Begins

With cold and flu season just around the corner, we want to share the latest reminders and guidance from public health.

This information will help minimize the spread of colds, flus, COVID and other respiratory viruses that are common in fall and winter.

 

Vaccines

Vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and

death from COVID-19 and influenza. Updated formulations of the COVID-19 vaccines and the

seasonal influenza vaccines will be available in the fall through doctors’ offices, pharmacies and

public health offices.

 

Infection prevention

Taking preventative measures continue to help stop the spread of seasonal illnesses. 

  • Stay home when sick; 
  • Use cough etiquette and hand hygiene; and 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched and shared items and surfaces

 

Masks

Masks continue to be an option individuals can use to limit the spread of respiratory viruses.

Individuals can choose to wear a mask to protect themselves and to limit the spread of

respiratory viruses to others. 

 

Managing symptoms

To reduce the spread of all viruses, anyone who is sick should stay home and away from others until their fever is gone, their symptoms improve, and they feel able to resume normal activities. 

 

Additional recommendations:

Avoid close contact with others, especially those at high risk of serious outcomes and

high risk settings like personal care homes and health care facilities. If individuals

become ill in your facility, they should be separated from others until they can go home,

and be provided a mask to wear if they are able.

 

Testing for COVID-19 and influenza is recommended for high-risk individuals to

determine whether they are eligible for treatment. Other individuals may choose to use a COVID-19 rapid antigen test if available. 

 

If there are questions about worsening symptoms, call your health care provider or

Health Links - Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257. Call 911 if symptoms are

severe. Further information is also available in the resource list below.

 

Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

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