The flu is not only taking its toll on local hospitals and long-term care facilities but on area schools.
According to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, 12 schools so far have reported at least 10% of its student population absent, mostly likely due to the flu.
Over at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, six schools have needed enhanced cleaning compared to two during the last flu season.
Speaking on the Afternoon News, board Spokesperson Stephen Fields says there is an added cost due to the flu.
"There are times, sometimes when you have to even pay people overtime to do something like that [enhanced clearning]," says Fields. "If it is off hours, you might need some extra people to go in there, so there are some increased costs associated with that kind of thing."
The flu season continues into April.
--With files from AM800's Kathie McMann