Respiratory illness surveillance in KFL&A

Where can I find the COVID-19 surveillance data?

The new dashboard including COVID-19 surveillance data. As learned from the 2022/2023 respiratory season, several respiratory viruses can now circulate at the same time and this dashboard is better able to provide situational awareness on this broader picture.

What indicators determine high risk versus low risk?

Five indicators are used to determine if the KFL&A region is in a period of high or low risk for respiratory illness transmission:

• Wastewater levels for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (as available).
• Percent positivity for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
• Respiratory-related emergency department (ED) visits.
• Active respiratory hospitalizations.
• Active respiratory outbreaks.

More surveillance information for all indicators other than ED visits can be found on the Overall surveillance tab. Find additional surveillance information about respiratory-related ED visits on our viral respiratory illness mapper.

If we are low risk in the KFL&A region does that mean we don't have to take precautions?

Even if we are in a period of low risk, it does not mean zero risk. Taking steps to prevent respiratory illness should be a year-round consideration.

• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Get your annual flu shot and get any COVID-19 boosters you are eligible for.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace
• Wear a mask to protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses. When you're recovering from a respiratory illness, wear a mask to protect others at higher risk.
• Stay home when feeling unwell to prevent the spread of illness to others.

What is a respiratory infection?

Many respiratory infections have the same symptoms but can cause very different illnesses and outcomes. No matter what the respiratory illness is, there are actions that can be taken to help keep yourself and others healthy and stop the spread of respiratory illness. Find out prevention tips and a list of symptoms by visiting our Preventing the spread of respiratory infections page.

When is an outbreak declared?

Different settings and different viruses have separate criteria when declaring an outbreak. The criteria is based on the risk factors of the populations residing in the setting.

COVID-19

• Two or more residents or patients who are epidemiologically linked (e.g., within a specified area, unit, floor, or ward), both with positive results from a PCR, molecular, or rapid antigen test, within a seven-day period. Both cases must have reasonably acquired their infection within the setting.

For other respiratory infections

• Two cases of acute respiratory infections (ARI), within 48 hours with any common epidemiological link (e.g., unit, floor), and at least one case must be laboratory-confirmed.

Or 

• Three cases of ARI (laboratory confirmation not necessary) occurring within 48 hours, with any common epidemiological link (e.g., unit, floor).

What illnesses do we track through wastewater?

Historically we have tracked only COVID-19 consistently. Starting in the 2023/2024 respiratory season, influenza (A and B) and RSV will also be tracked.

Is wastewater tested for all of the KFL&A region?

No. Wastewater samples are collected only from treatment facilities participating in the Wastewater Surveillance Initiative funded by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Loyalist Township and Kingston Utilities have been contributing samples from their treatment facilities to be analyzed by researchers at Queen’s University since November 2021. Other facilities or sites in our region may be included in this testing as the surveillance program develops. For more information, visit Public Health Ontario’s COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance in Ontario.

What indicators have changed from the previous Status of COVID-19 cases in KFL&A dashboard?

The previous dashboard reported on COVID-19 per cent positivity and hospitalizations using a different definition from the KFL&A respiratory surveillance dashboard. The previous dashboard calculated percent positivity and hospitalizations for all KFL&A residents. The current dashboard uses data directly from the hospitals in the region (Kingston Health Sciences Centre and LACGH) for these two indicators. This means KFL&A residents who are tested/hospitalized outside of these two hospitals will not be included, and residents from other regions may be included. This change was made due to the availability of data for influenza and RSV.

Why isn't the vaccination rate available on the dashboard?

COVID-19 vaccination data no longer changes as regularly as it did when this information was first added to the COVID-19 dashboard and so it no longer requires weekly updates. Public Health Ontario provides required updates on COVID-19 vaccinations.

When is the dashboard updated?

The dashboard is updated to reflect the last complete “flu week” as defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Flu weeks run from Sunday to Saturday. Due to delays in some data sources, the dashboard is updated on Tuesday to reflect the previous week. The Hospitalizations and Outbreaks tabs will show the data from the publishing date rather than the last complete week. 

Hospitalization data is from the Ministry of Health and there may be delays in reporting. In this case the dashboard will be updated when more data becomes available.