Dealing with seasonal respiratory viruses is a main point of concern for Sarnia-Lambton's new Acting Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Karalyn Dueck, who assumed the role November 21, took part in a news conference with local media Thursday.
She said they're navigating through a "triple threat" of circulating viruses that are putting a strain on the healthcare system. Specifically, they're concerned about influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19.
"We have an early flu season this year," said Dr. Dueck. "The per cent of positivity for Influenza A this week is 16.7 per cent. That's higher than last week's rate of 14.3 per cent, and it's been rapidly increasing since September. The per cent of positivity for Influenza B has been stable, as Influenza A has been identified as the most common type, but that's going to have an impact on everyone."
Dr. Dueck said the uptake of influenza vaccines is comparable to last year, and those aged six months and up are eligible.
The health unit has administered about 3,000 influenza vaccines. That doesn't include the number of doses provided through local pharmacies and healthcare providers.
She said addictions and mental health are also key areas of focus.
"Lambton County, like other communities in Ontario, is facing a complex situation that will take collaboration and partnership to respond to," she said. "We continue to support this work through public health harm reduction programs, and the development of a community drug and alcohol strategy in partnership with over 20 local partners. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am extremely excited to be here and I'm looking forward to working with all of our partners to make positive strides on the issues that most affect our community's health and wellbeing."
In 2018, Dr. Dueck completed a portion of her medical residency training under the guidance of former Lambton MOH Dr. Sudit Ranade.
"It was a really great experience to work with Dr. Ranade. His approach and thoughtfulness and vision for the work of local public health and how we can and achieve optimal community health through the programs and services that we deliver really stuck with me. I look to carry that forward into my role here. Being here just solidifies how strong the staff are at Lambton Public Health, and how much they care about the community. I just feel so fortunate to be here in this capacity."
Dr. Dueck's husband is from the area, and she grew up in nearby St. Jacob's.
She most recently served as the acting associate medical officer of health for the Middlesex London Health Unit.
Her credentials include a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo, and a Bachelor of Science and Nursing from Western University.
Dr. Dueck completed her medicine degree from McMaster University, and did a public health and preventative medicine residency at the University of Toronto.
She worked as a public health nurse at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and was a public health physician at the Region of Peel and York Region Public Health.
There's no official timeline as to when Dr. Dueck will be named to the role on a permanent basis. It needs to be approved by the Ontario Health Ministry before being made official.
