Flu cases are on the rise and Scarborough Health Network (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, urgent care centres, pharmacies with extended hours, and crisis intervention assistance across the Central East region, please visit: https://www.centraleasthealthline.ca/libraryContent.aspx?id=22240.

Protecting Yourself and Others

The best way to prevent the flu is to get your flu shot, which is still available from most family physician offices, community health centres, walk-in clinics, and pharmacies. 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.

Proper hand hygiene 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 SRH

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: