Hospital emergency departments in multiple regions of Quebec are currently facing a surge in patient volumes, exceeding their capacity well before the peak of flu season.
The pressure is particularly intense in areas such as Greater Montreal, Centre-du-Québec, and the Capitale-Nationale, where health officials report higher-than-usual numbers for this time of the year. The early onset of influenza this season has exacerbated the situation, putting a strain on the healthcare system.
According to provincial data, almost 20% of patients are leaving emergency departments without being attended to by a physician. The Quebec Public Health Laboratory has confirmed approximately 3,500 cases of the flu in the past week alone. Among the general population, 26% of influenza tests have come back positive, with the H3N2 strain being predominant.
Health authorities emphasize that the transmission of the flu is particularly rampant among children aged five to 17. They highlight a concerning trend where parents are opting to take their children with flu-like symptoms to emergency rooms instead of consulting family doctors or allowing time for recovery at home.
