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Regional health department reports rise in flu outbreaksBy Jeremy Grimaldiranging from 150 to 200.physicians and hospitals, as opposed to thisThis has been a heavier than normalMETROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUPAs for long-term-care facilities, thereyear, which only saw 90,000 doses supplied.flu season.It started roughly thehave been between 10 and 12 outbreaks ofClinics, too, saw a fall in numbers withsame time,but in my opinion,judgingHalton has seen a rise in the number ofinfluenza this year as opposed to the aver-12,000 accessing the service this yearinfluenza cases while the number of peopleby hospital reports,it has been a age of between three and five.unlike five years ago when about 20,000getting the flu shot has dropped by thou-This has been a heavier than normal flutook part.little higher.sands.season, he said. It started roughly theBy the numbers, people found to haveHalton Medical Officer of Health (MOH)same time, but in my opinion, judging bycontracted influenza in each area includeDr. Bob Nosal,Dr. Bob Nosal said he has not only seen a lothospital reports, it has been a little higher.36 in Oakville, 29 in Burlington, 11 inHalton Medical Officer of Healthmore outbreaks in long-term-care facilities,Nosal said at least one potential reasonMilton and seven in Halton Hills.but also in the region as a whole.So far this year in Halton, 111 cases offor this has been the drop in the number ofNosal warned these numbers are skewedAlthough he added that Halton is likelyinfluenza have been detected in peoplepeople getting flu shots.because many people with the flu dont seekpast the peak of cases, hes still urging peo-attending physicians and getting swabbed.In 2008, before the H1N1 outbreak,medical attention and therefore arentple to get their flu shot.In past years, that number ended upabout 130,000 doses were given out throughaccounted for. You are warmlyinvitedtoattendourOPEN HOUSESJunior Kindergarten to Grade 5 Junior Kindergarten andtandtercoawinldand Montessori Ages 3-9Montessori toGrade 12youroiningBrSaturday, January 29th,Wednesday,February 9th, $ON*COUP50aget10:00a.m. 12:00p.m.9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 - 7:30p.m.eather,SuedeorShearlingCoat. *TowardsthepurchaseofanyL$tax.Coatstobe beforeEVERYCOATNOWWe have been providingWe fully prepare our 400fdpurchaseoMinimumcombineexceptional, full-day,studentsfor post-secondarytedthroughtheShearWarmthProjecttoassistthe distribudeMaster.early education programseducation andbeyond.homeless.DryCleaninggenerouslydonatedbySueONSALE!for decades.JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN AND MONTESSORI TO GRADE 12www.hsc.on.ca | 905-389-1367 | 299 Fennell Ave. West, Hamilton13 Friday, January 21, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.oakvillebeaver.com