Hand washing, masking in public places and staying home when you’re sick remains the best way to protect yourself from illness in the busy flu season.

Dalhousie University infectious disease specialist, physician and researcher Dr. Lisa Barrett was responding to the spread of a new Omicron subvariant that is even more transmissible than previous variants.

Respiratory illnesses, including Influenza A have spiked in recent weeks.

Barrett says simple precautions remain the best way to avoid getting ill, and spreading illness to others.

She knows people are sick of hearing about it, but “it works.”