As the winter chill deepens across North America, a sharp rise in flu and Covid cases is sending ripples of concern through communities, schools, and hospitals alike. In Ottawa, the impact is being felt acutely in the city’s schools and care homes, with student absences and influenza outbreaks reaching levels not seen in recent years. Meanwhile, the United States is grappling with a surge of what some are calling a ‘super flu,’ as well as the continued evolution of Covid-19, creating a complex public health landscape just as the holiday season approaches.
According to CBC, Ottawa schools are currently reporting student absence rates of 8%—nearly double last year’s peak of 4.4%—as of December 17, 2025. This dramatic increase comes after eight consecutive weeks of rising absenteeism, a trend that has caught the attention of local health authorities. Ottawa Public Health (OPH), which collects absentee data from two local school boards, revealed these figures as the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) reported a higher-than-usual number of flu cases for this time of year.
The severity of this flu season is underscored by a tragic statistic: in the first two weeks of December alone, three children between the ages of five and nine died of flu-related complications in the Ottawa area. This sobering development has heightened anxiety among parents and educators, even as officials work to manage the crisis without resorting to school closures.
Meanwhile, Ottawa is also tracking 12 ongoing influenza outbreaks at eight retirement and long-term care homes, as well as in different parts of The Ottawa Hospital. Outbreaks are declared when two or more cases with similar symptoms are detected on the same floor of a residence. Norman Reid, executive director of Colonel By Retirement Residence, described to CBC how his facility recently endured a 10-day flu outbreak, which staff managed by closing dining rooms and cancelling group activities. "We did see the flu season a little earlier this year," Reid explained, noting that preparations included stockpiling personal protective equipment and working closely with public health officials to limit transmission.
The early arrival of flu season has been noticed beyond the walls of care homes. Gatineau pharmacist Martin Payer told Radio-Canada, "Just in terms of consultations of people that are sick that are coming to the pharmacy asking questions for medication, we've seen the uptick a little bit sooner than we would have normally seen in the past." This sentiment is echoed by many healthcare professionals who are seeing increased demand for flu-related advice and medication earlier than usual.
In response, public health officials are urging everyone six months and older to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. The message is clear: vaccination, along with standard precautions like handwashing and staying home when ill, remains the best defense against both the flu and Covid-19.
Despite the alarming numbers, the Department of Education in Ottawa has stated that there are no plans to close schools ahead of the Christmas holidays, even as cases continue to rise. As reported by The Sun, a spokesperson explained, "The department is guided by the HSE on all matters in relation to public health." Recent communications have emphasized the importance of not sending children to school if they are displaying symptoms of flu or Covid, but for now, in-person learning will continue. The department reiterated that any guidance to schools would come directly from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and that no additional directives are planned at this time.
Across the border in the United States, the story is equally concerning, if not more so. According to Daily Mail, the 2025-2026 flu season has seen approximately 3 million Americans contract influenza A, resulting in 1,200 deaths and about 30,000 hospitalizations by early December. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first child death from the flu for the current season during the week ending December 11, with Colorado confirming its first pediatric flu fatality around the same time.
Much of the current surge is attributed to a new and particularly dangerous flu strain: H3N2 subclade K. The CDC notes that 89% of influenza A samples tested since September belong to this subclade, which is considered “brand new to people’s immune systems.” This lack of prior exposure has left many highly vulnerable and at increased risk of severe illness. The so-called ‘super flu’ presents with familiar symptoms—fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle and body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea—but doctors warn that these symptoms may be more severe than in previous years.
“Super flu’s symptoms appear to be similar to previous influenza A strains, though doctors have noted they could be more severe,” Daily Mail reports. Influenza A is contagious from about one day before symptoms appear until five to seven days after becoming sick, and while most people recover within a week, lingering symptoms like cough and fatigue can persist for two weeks or more. The annual flu vaccine remains the most effective preventive measure, with effectiveness rates between 30% and 75%.
At the same time, the US is contending with a new dominant Covid-19 strain, known as XFG or Stratus. This variant, first identified in March 2025, is notable for causing a distinctive ‘razor blade’ sensation in the throat, in addition to the usual symptoms of fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, runny nose, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. A loss of taste or smell, a hallmark of earlier Covid variants, continues to distinguish it from the flu. Covid is generally contagious for one to two days before symptoms appear and up to eight to ten days after onset.
CDC wastewater data as of December 6, 2025, show that nationwide Covid viral activity is considered low, but the situation is worsening in nine states, with Indiana experiencing ‘very high’ activity. Covid test positivity rates have climbed to 3.6%, up from 3.1% the previous week, and the hospitalization rate remains steady at 0.7 per 100,000 people.
Health officials on both sides of the border are emphasizing the importance of familiar preventive strategies: vaccination, regular handwashing, and avoiding contact with those who are sick. The flu season in the US typically runs from October through May, and with both flu and Covid cases on the rise, the coming weeks will be critical for public health systems already under strain.
As families prepare for the holidays, the message from experts is consistent: stay vigilant, follow public health guidance, and prioritize vaccination to help protect the most vulnerable. With communities facing a winter of heightened risk, these steps could make all the difference in keeping loved ones safe and healthy.