Ontario's flu season peaked over the holidays, health minister says

Ontario's health minister said the province's flu season appeared to peak over the Christmas holidays and acknowledged it strained hospitals; critics noted the chief medical officer did not hold a public briefing to promote vaccination.

Ontario's health minister, Sylvia Jones, said the province's flu season appeared to have peaked over the Christmas holidays. She acknowledged the season had placed strain on hospitals and health-care workers. Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, issued a general statement encouraging vaccination but did not hold a public briefing. Critics said the absence of a briefing limited health-promotion efforts before cases rose. What is known: - The health minister said flu cases appear to have peaked over the Christmas holidays. - The minister acknowledged the season strained hospitals and health-care workers. - The chief medical officer issued a general statement encouraging vaccination but did not hold a public briefing. - Opposition critics said the lack of a briefing reduced visible health-promotion activity. Summary: Officials report that the flu season in Ontario has likely passed its peak and that health services experienced strain during the rise in cases. Critics raised concerns about the absence of a public briefing by the chief medical officer as cases were rising. Undetermined at this time.