Doctors say your summer cold could be COVID-19

Experts say we are in the midst of a summer wave of COVID-19 in Canada, consistent with what's happening in the U.S. and other parts of the world.

Doctors say if people are having cold-like symptoms, there's a good chance it could be COVID and they should take a test.

Andrew Pinto, a family doctor and public health specialist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, says that COVID-19 doesn't seem to follow a seasonal pattern like flu and respiratory syncytial virus — or RSV.

Although COVID-19 is very active along with flu and RSV in the fall and winter, Pinto says it also spreads in summer.

He says people might also be susceptible to the virus because it's been a long time since their last COVID infection or vaccination and their immunity has decreased.

Pinto says although COVID is spreading this summer, it is not causing a big wave of hospitalizations, thanks to protection from past vaccination.

Health Canada is evaluating potential COVID-19 vaccines for the fall that target circulating variants, including the JN.1 and KP.2 strains.