Vancouver's icy conditions cause spike in emergency room visits

Weeks into the South Coast's cold snap, many Vancouver sidewalks remain covered in a thicklayerof ice - and first responders say emergency rooms are filling up as a result.

B.C. Health Services said there have been over 800 fall-related injuries since the icy conditions set in.

DaveLeary, a paramedic forAmbulanceParamedics of B.C., has witnessed them first hand.

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"Ankle fractures, sprained wrists, head injuries in people that are otherwise in good health they're all from these slips and falls. It's very treacherous for people out there," he said.

Learysaid tricky road conditions and increased call volumes mean people can find themselves waiting in the cold for one to two hours before receiving help.

"We find people laying out on the ice, they're usually unable to get up if they have a lower body injury. They're cold, in pain, and we try to get them warm and to the hospital as fast as we can," he said.

Leary said this winter has been particularly challenging for first responders.

"With this cold weather on top of the opioid crisis, this has put a greater strain on the resources and the people we have out on the streets now. But our people are still trying to get to each call as quick as they can," he said.

Anna MarieD'Angelo, spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, saidemergency room visits havegone upsince the icy conditionsset in.

"During the last few days since the latest cold snap, we've seen increased numbers of people coming to our emergency departmentin Vancouver,Richmondand on the North Shore with weather-related injuries," she said.

She said the increase involumebecame noticeable once the holidays wrapped up.

"On Tuesday things seemed normal. But by the evening lots of people were coming in. The conditions were extremely icy and people were trying to resume theirusual schedules after the holidays," she said.

The trend isn't isolated to Greater Vancouver.TasleemJuma with Fraser Health saidher agency noticed a similar pattern.

"We are seeing higher patient volumes coming into our emergency departments due to slips and falls," she said.

"We're concerned for more vulnerable populations seniors who may have mobilityissues already. We're encouraging people to be good neighbours - maybe go check on seniors in your neighbourhood," she said.

Leary said that while some injuries caused by falls are minor, others can cause permanent damageif left untreated.

"Injuries we've been seeing haveranged from sprains and bruisesto long bone fractures, concussions and internal bleeding," he said.

Learysaid anyone who slips or witnesses a bad fallshouldimmediately phone 9-1-1, then focus on keeping themselves or the injured party warm.

The cold weather is expected to continue, with more snow on the way.