Influenza Cases Decrease, Eastern Ontario Hospitals Remain Overwhelmed

Just before New Year’s Day, Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital declared a Code Orange as it faced unprecedented demand, with all 105 beds and 20 surge beds full, and 20 patients waiting on stretchers in the emergency department. Although the hospital recently ended the Code Orange designation, pressures are expected to rise again due to a severe flu season, which has resulted in significantly higher hospitalization rates and flu-related deaths. Health officials continue to urge vaccinations and preventive measures amid ongoing flu outbreaks and high occupancy rates at local hospitals. Despite signs of a potential peak in flu cases, officials remain cautious about future pressures on healthcare resources.

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