Several major hospitals in Montreal are facing a surge in patients, pushing their emergency rooms well beyond capacity. This increase in demand is attributed to the spread of respiratory viruses following recent holiday gatherings.
At the Royal Victoria Hospital, occupancy has soared to 252%, with the Montreal General Hospital not far behind at 194%. The Montreal Children’s Hospital is currently at 75% capacity, while CHU Sainte-Justine is at 44%.
Quebec Health officials had anticipated this spike and are encouraging residents to utilize the Info-Santé 8-1-1 telephone line to alleviate pressure on emergency departments. This proactive approach seems to be working, as call volumes have risen significantly compared to last year. Daily calls now exceed 7,400, up from approximately 6,200 during the same period in 2025.
Despite these efforts, wait times remain a concern. The average delay for the 8-1-1 line dedicated to flu and gastroenteritis symptoms is around one hour and 32 minutes. Calls related to pediatrics average one hour and 28 minutes, while general 8-1-1 line waits can extend up to two and a half hours.
Health officials emphasize that callers have the option to leave their phone number for a callback from a healthcare professional without losing their spot in the queue.
