Flu cases are on the rise and SHN is managing higher patient volumes in all three of its emergency departments (ED).
ED patients are triaged, which means the most serious cases are seen first. If your health care needs are not an emergency, other health care providers that can help include:
- Family physicians
- Urgent Care, Walk-in, or After Hours Clinics
- Telehealth Ontario (call toll-free to speak to a Registered Nurse at 1-866-797-0000 or TTY: 1-866-797-0007)
For holiday hours of service, contact numbers, and maps for medical walk-in clinics and urgent care centres across the Central East region, please visit: https://www.centraleasthealthline.ca/listHolidayResources.aspx.
Protecting yourself and others
Get your flu shot
The best way to prevent the flu is to get your flu shot. The flu shot is your best line of defense against the flu, and by getting your shot, you’re also helping to protect your family and friends. The vaccination is free for everyone over 6 months of age. A health card is only required if you are 65 and over and require a high dose vaccine. To receive your flu shot:
- Schedule an appointment with your family doctor
- Visit a walk-in clinic
- Visit your local pharmacy
- Safe and Warm in Scarborough: Flu prevention organized by the Scarborough Health Team with assistance from Socks 4 Souls Canada
Drop by the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities at the following locations until February 28, 2020 every Tuesday and Thursday between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and receive a pair of socks with your flu shot:
629 Markham Road, Unit 2 (Markham and Lawrence)
2660 Eglinton Avenue East (Brimley and Eglinton)
4002 Sheppard Avenue East, Unit 401 (Sheppard and Kennedy)
Keep your hands clean
Proper hand hygiene also goes a long way to help keep yourself and others healthy.
- If your hands are not visibly soiled, hand sanitizer is an effective way to keep your hands germ-free.
- Washing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds also helps prevent the spread of the flu virus, which can live on your hands for several hours.
Visiting patients at SHN
If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, weakness, nasal congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you should avoid visiting patients at the hospital.
Instead, consider sending them a card or email, or give them a call. This will prevent the transmission of your cold/flu symptoms to hospital patients and staff.
For more information on health care options, the flu, and norovirus, visit the Toronto Public Health and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s web pages: