Amid surging influenza cases provincewide, public-health officials for London and surrounding Middlesex County are reporting 20 times more cases than this time last year.

As of Dec. 6, the Middlesex-London health unit has reported 16 flu outbreaks and 327 cases since Aug. 24, a stark increase from no outbreaks and 15 cases between Aug. 25 and Dec. 7, 2024.

“There’s increased activity right now, and so compared to last year, we’re seeing a higher number of outbreaks, more hospital beds being occupied, unfortunately, a greater number of influenza-related deaths and a higher test per cent positivity,” said Andrew Lam, the agency’s senior public health resident doctor.

The health unit has also recorded four flu-related deaths and 117 hospitalizations since Aug. 24 – 52 of them between Nov.

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