The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit says the number of confirmed flu cases in the area continues to rise.
Manager of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lora Piccinin says to date, there have been 220 confirmed cases.
She says there are more than 10 flu-related deaths in the region since the start of influenza season in mid-November.
Piccinin says this year's flu season is stronger than previous years. "I think it's important for people to understand that the only people that are tested are those that are in long-term care homes related to outbreak or those that are in hospital."
"The number of cases so far this year is higher than last year and the season isn't over." says Piccinin. "Last year we only had 160 lab confirmed cases of flu and that was for the entire season.
Long-term care homes have also faced a battle this flu season. "Last year we had only seven long-term care homes in flu outbreak and this year we've had 26 so far," says Piccinin. "So that's over triple the number of homes that were in outbreak last year to this year, so definitely some significance of flu."
There have been more hospital admissions this flu season according to Piccinin. "Last year we had about 45 hospital admissions related to flu and this year we're well over 100 and still climbing," says Piccinin. "Last year we had only six flu related deaths and this year we're over 10. So definitely a stronger flu season."
With more than a month left in flu season, Piccinin says it's never too late to get your flu shot.