Hospital overcrowding makes flu response in northern Ontario more challenging, says ER doctor

As colder weather settles in, public health agencies across northern Ontario are reporting an early rise in influenza and COVID-19 cases.

Healthcare workers say they’re preparing for an influx of patients, but ongoing overcrowding in hospitals threatens to make this respiratory illness season — commonly known as “flu season” — even more difficult.

“We’re as ready as we can anticipate it coming, but the overcrowding situation always makes things a little bit more challenging,” said Dr. Dominique Ansell, an emergency physician at Sudbury’s Health Sciences North.

She said the regional hospital’s emergency department has already seen more patients testing positive for the flu and COVID-19 in recent weeks, adding pressure to a system struggling with year-round demand.

“Other presentations in the emergency departments that we have all the time year round, such as heart attacks or mental health presentations or injuries, those presentations stay at the same level,” Ansell explained.

“It’s just an added number of cases on top of our baseline volume, which is already significant.”

Early rise in cases 

Unlike the past decade — when influenza cases typically appeared closer to mid-December — Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported eight confirmed infections as of Nov. 19.

Since the start of respiratory illness season, it has also reported 129 positive cases of COVID-19 and two COVID-related deaths in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.

Afzaa Rajabali, a health promoter with the health unit, said the official case counts only capture those who received testing, meaning the true number of infections is likely higher.

“Respiratory viruses can make people very sick. They can worsen underlying health conditions, especially among seniors, people with weakened immune systems, infants, young children, and pregnant individuals,” Rajabali said.

“Consider wearing a well fitted mask, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated public settings and when you or those around you are there are at a higher risk of getting sick from respiratory viruses.”

Vaccination against COVID-19, influenza and RSV is also recommended for those eligible.

Across the region, Northeastern Public Health — which serves the Cochrane and Timiskaming districts — is reporting moderate COVID-19 activity, while flu and RSV levels remain low. The agency is also encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

In Sault Ste. Marie, paramedics have partnered with the Sault Area Hospital to expand access to vaccines. As of Nov. 18, they had administered 1,182 doses, including 471 RSV, 422 influenza and 289 COVID-19 shots.

Overcrowding complicates care, lengthens wait times

Ansell said the seasonal surge in respiratory illnesses puts additional pressure on bed capacity and can affect how quickly healthcare workers can attend to patients.

“It can be difficult on the treatment teams as we’re trying to manage multiple demands for our patient populations and offer the best care possible in higher volume settings,” she said.

“It just can be harder to get to some of the different presentations in a timely manner. Or even patients who come with injuries like a broken arm or whatnot, they may need to wait a little bit longer because we’re attending to sicker patients and there might be a higher volume of sicker patients because of the respiratory season.”

She said longer wait times are challenging for both patients and staff.

“I always struggle with the long wait times for my patient populations. I always apologize to them, but it is definitely not because we’re not trying to get to anyone. It is just strains on our healthcare system that we do the best to address,” Ansell said.

She added that increased use of protective equipment — like masks and gowns — can also create communication barriers and discomfort for staff, especially when working with patients who are hard of hearing.

“But we’re well versed in it, especially since the pandemic and the years afterwards where we were still on higher alert because of the pandemic. The team works tirelessly and very hard regardless of what comes our way,” she said.