Quebec hospitals overflowing as province hit with widespread flu

Emergency rooms in Quebec hospitals are overflowing this holiday season as the flu spreads across the province.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting a steady rise in influenza cases throughout the country and Quebec is no exception. Earlier this month,the agency describedthe flu as being "widespread" in the province.

The occupancy rate in Quebec hospitals is exceeding 100 per cent capacity in many cases,La PresseCanadiennehas learned.

In Quebec City, the Centrehospitalierdel'UniversitLaval (CHUL) is at 109 per cent and the nearbyHpitaldel'Enfant-Jsusis at 115 per cent.

InThetfordMines, the hospital is at 160 per cent. On Montreal's South Shore, Anna-LabergeinChteauguay has nearly doubled its maximum capacity at a rate of 187 per cent.

TheHpital du Suroit, located inSalaberry-de-Valleyfield, has reached 145 per cent.

Over in Longueuil, Pierre-Boucheris up to 120 per cent.

Montreal hospitals filling up

Montreal hospitals have also seen an influx ofpatients.

"Our hospitals are bursting to the seams," saidDr. Catherine Farrell, a pediatric intensive care specialist atSainte-Justine. "Our emergency rooms are really overloaded."

The rate at Hpital Fleury is at 139 per cent.

Maisonneuve-Rosemont is reporting 102 per cent.

"Influenza and gastroenteritis are two very contagious infections that are more common during the winter," states the hospital's website. "They can be avoided with simple hygiene measures, such as hand washing."

Most flu cases can be treated at home

According to Sant Montral's website, eating more, sleeping less, hugs and handshakes are common practice over the holidays, making the spread of viruses and infections more common.

However, it states, there are alternatives to rushing off tothe emergency room. Those alternatives startwith a call to Info-Sant (811) to get advice from a medical professional.

Most cases of the flu can be treated at home.Quebec'sHealth Ministry recommends seeking medical assistance only if you have difficulty breathing and a lingering feverin addition to the other flu symptoms.

Last year around this time, the situation was similar as emergency rooms across the province reported being over capacity due to the flu.