There have been eight flu-related deaths across Peel Region so far this season, according to Peel public health.

The health agency, which collects statistics across Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, specified the majority of those deaths have been older adults. No children have died of influenza in Peel Region during this flu season, which spans from September 2017 to February 2018.

As of Feb. 21, there have been a total of 1,189 confirmed cases of influenza in the region.

“A lot of people who have the flu are young and healthy people who aren’t severe enough to be hospitalized … so we know there are a lot more out there,” said Dr. Laura Bourns, associate medical officer of health.

Bourns said the numbers are not wildly disproportionate from previous flu seasons. Over the past four years, the average number of flu cases between September to August is roughly 1,346.

“What is different about this year is that Influenza A and B are peaking at the same time, so we are seeing a lot of cases all at once,” said Bourns.

Influenza A, the more dominant strain, generally occurs in November and ends in March. That’s when Influenza B kicks in and continues throughout the year. Influenza B is typically more common among children.

According to Peel public health, 220 children between the ages of zero to four have been diagnosed with the flu this season and 618 seniors, aged 65 and older.

“William Osler Health System — like many Ontario hospitals around this time of the year — is seeing a growing number of patients seeking care for the flu in its emergency departments at Brampton Civic Hospital and Etobicoke General Hospital, and in its Urgent Care Centre at Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness,” said Alineh Haidery, manager of public relations for William Osler Health System.

Osler has seen 536 lab-confirmed patients with the flu across its three sites.