GUELPH, ON – December 15, 2025 - As respiratory illness season takes hold, hospitals across Waterloo-Wellington regions are reminding residents that simple prevention measures can help protect community health and reduce growing pressures on local emergency departments.
Hospitals are urging the public to receive vaccinations, wash hands frequently, wear a mask when appropriate, and stay home when unwell to help limit the spread of respiratory illness.
To help residents find the right care at the right time, Waterloo-Wellington hospitals are encouraging residents to use the Know Your Care Options online resource created in partnership with health care providers across both regions. The guide provides information on virtual and walk-in care, vaccination sites, and guidance on when to contact a family doctor or nurse practitioner for non-emergencies.
Patients should always seek emergency care when truly needed, and are encouraged to access alternative care options to ensure they receive the right care in the right place such as:
- KnowYourCareOptions.ca – Guidance, resources and a listing of local health care partners created in partnership with Waterloo-Wellington region hospitals and Ontario Health Teams.
- UrgentCareOntario.ca - Offering virtual urgent-care appointments fully covered for those with an Ontario health card.
As hospitals prioritize the sickest patients first, non-urgent cases may face longer waits and asks all patients to remain patient and respectful when seeking care.
Updated guidance and the status of respiratory illness in Waterloo-Wellington regions can be found on local Public Health websites.
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Quick facts
- The community is encouraged to visit the emergency department at a Waterloo-Wellington hospital to treat life-threatening injuries and severe illnesses or when experiencing a medical emergency.
- For ongoing, non-emergency care a family doctor or nurse practitioner is best. For community members seeking primary care, there are resources to help support them:
- Home and Community Care Support Services Waterloo-Wellington at 519-748-2222.
- Greater Kitchener Waterloo Physician Recruitment
- Health Care Connect
- Resources for Finding a New Doctor
- Know Your Care Options
- The Ministry of Health provides information on participating vaccination locations on the following website ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
For more information, please contact: Carla Kostiak, Manager of Strategic Communications, Guelph General Hospital | Tel: 519 546 3048 | Email: ckostiak@gghorg.ca
Guelph General Hospital (GGH) is a dynamic, comprehensive acute care facility providing a full range of services to the residents of Guelph and Wellington County. In addition to providing 24-hour emergency coverage and advanced diagnostic support, GGH is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, a regional provider of general vascular surgery, and a designated provincial Bariatric Centre of Excellence. GGH is also a proud partner in the Guelph Wellington Ontario Health Team. To learn more, visit gghorg.ca or support the hospital at gghfoundation.ca.
The Wellington Health Care Alliance (WHCA) is comprised of three, rural, acute care hospitals: North Wellington Health Care, with hospital sites in Mount Forest (Louise Marshall Hospital) and Palmerston (Palmerston and District Hospital) and Groves Memorial Community Hospital located in Fergus. Each hospital provides a comprehensive range of surgical, inpatient and outpatient services, including 24/7 emergency care. For more information, please visit whca.ca.
Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) is an acute care hospital offering a full complement of integrated services including surgery, maternity, laboratory, diagnostics and emergency. It employs over 1,600 dedicated and skilled health care professionals, technicians and staff, 250 physicians and almost 500 volunteers providing exceptional care to the residents of Cambridge, the township of North Dumfries and the Region of Waterloo. For more information, visit www.cmh.org.
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities. For more information, visit www.wrhn.ca.