Is it COVID-19 or another virus?
COVID-19 isn't the only virus circulating throughout the community, as respiratory illnesses that seemed dormant for the past two years make a comeback.
According to Simcoe Muskoka's associate medical officer of health Dr. Colin Lee, seasonal influenza and Rhinovirus, otherwise known as the common cold, appear to be increasing.
"This is probably because during the winter, we have been using the multi-layered protective approach and have stifled colds and flus, and since we've relaxed some of our measures, I think they've found a way to infect others."
The symptoms are so similar to COVID-19 that Dr. Lee says it can be difficult to distinguish.
RAPID TESTS
Dr. Lee says the convenient at-home rapid tests can help ascertain if one has COVID-19, but they aren't always accurate and can come back with a negative result for someone positive.
"If you have COVID-19 symptoms and your test is negative, don't be completely reassured; you may still have it," Lee says. "So what you should probably do is do another rapid test two or three days after, and if that test is still negative, then most likely you don't have COVID."
GATHERING WITH FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS
While recent data collected by the health unit suggests a downward trend in COVID-19 across Simcoe Muskoka, Dr. Lee still recommends caution.
"Unfortunately, the vaccine is not 100 per cent effective, so there's always a chance your friends may be unknowingly infected."
Dr. Lee notes that while COVID-19 is coming down from a high peak, there is still significant transmission in the community.
The health unit continues to push outdoor gatherings where possible and wearing a face mask when indoors to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and any other virus.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada to launch 'national action plan' to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen admitted Monday to jurors in the Republican's hush money trial that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from Trump's company as defence lawyers seized on the star witness' misdeeds to attack his credibility.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
Investors watching posts from 'Crypto King' in the wake of fraud, money laundering charges
Former investors of the self-styled “Crypto King” say they are watching his social media accounts and worried his displays of wealth are signs he’s spending their money, even now, as another large expense tied to Aiden Pleterski has triggered a previously unreported lawsuit.
Almost 2 months after it destroyed Baltimore's Key Bridge, the Dali cargo ship has been moved
The cargo ship Dali is being moved from the site of its catastrophic collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in a crucial step toward fully reopening the busy Port of Baltimore.