Quebec emergency rooms are 97 percent full across the county and many have already exceeded capacity: Laval has 104 percent capacity and Monteregie and Montreal 111 percent. “Emergency rooms operate at high capacity at best – you drop COVID and increase the number of flu cases, it does not take much to increase capacity,” explains Labos, a cardiologist with a degree in epidemiology. The rise in hospital visits comes as Quebec enters a sixth wave of COVID-19, a month after most health measures were relaxed. On Friday, Health Secretary Christian Dubb said 13,000 health workers were out of work due to the virus and was waiting for two difficult weeks ahead. Labos warns that restrictions may be needed if this trend continues. “As the situation worsens, [we] we need to do more to fight it. “Because if we do nothing and let the ICU hospitalization and cases increase, this will eventually create a situation where we can not deal with other things and we will have to start canceling surgeries and other medical services as we did before.” But after two years of pandemic restrictions, most people do not want to impose them again – and the government seems to feel the same way. The health minister is urging Quebec residents to remain vigilant ahead of the celebrations, but has not suggested any health measures to follow. “I think people need to be aware there is a risk, and when there is a risk it is sometimes better […] “Wait a few weeks to see people,” Dube said. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CIUSSSs) have urged residents to limit ER visits as much as possible. “When should I go to the emergency room? “Only if your health condition requires immediate care,” reads a statement on their Facebook page. But as many gather for Easter weekend, Lambos says he will monitor COVID-19 numbers in the coming days, preparing for a domino effect in hospitals. “There is a whole chain reaction to this and we need to realize that it is not good for healthcare to function fully or with excessive capacity, it is not the best way to provide quality care.”
