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Quebecers urged to avoid ERs amid flu and respiratory virus ‘maelstrom’

Dec. 23, 2025: Health officials urged Quebecers to avoid nonessential ER visits amid a respiratory virus maelstrom overwhelming McGill University Health Centre.
Rising flu cases have climbed almost vertically, Vinh warned, while hospital staff shortages from vacations have worsened capacity amid influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus pressures.
Emergency-Room data show many hospitals exceeding capacity, with 15 Montreal hospitals over 100 per cent and two exceeding 200 per cent, while patients board on stretchers in crowded hallways.
Officials advised most sick Quebecers to stay home unless severe symptoms develop, urged calling the 811 health hotline and using the province's website, while a measles cluster rose to nine cases as of Tuesday.
Calls for better messaging aim to boost vaccination and precautions as Dr. Donald Vinh urged `resounding` uptake of vaccination campaigns, flu and COVID vaccines, amid worsening trends last year and the December 2024 to mid‑April outbreak period.

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Quebecers urged to avoid ERs amid flu and respiratory virus ‘maelstrom’

Quebecers are being urged to avoid unnecessary emergency-room visits amid what one infectious-disease doctor is calling a respiratory virus 'maelstrom.'

14 hours ago·Toronto, Canada

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La Presse

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Season of Viruses: Emergencies-Health Is Overwhelmed by Calls

Due to an explosion in influenza and the spread of other seasonal viruses, Emergencies-Santé reports a significant increase in calls since mid-November. Only in Montreal and Laval, the service has received up to 1200 daily calls since the early onset of winter temperatures.

14 hours ago·Montreal, Canada

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