After six weeks of overflows in pediatric hospitals, the emergency rooms are slowly freeing themselves. “Usually, we see 200 patients in the emergency room every day, and in the last few weeks, we had volumes that were from 300 to 320 patients daily,” explains Dr. Marc Girard, director of professional services at CHU Sainte- Justine.
This high volume is explained by the fact that last year at this date, the children were more confined at home.
“They had less social contact, so they developed fewer antibodies against certain viruses that they would have encountered last year,” says Dr. Girard.
In addition, influenza-like viruses appeared earlier this year. “Usually, the influenza virus appears more towards the end of the fall, whereas this year, from mid-August, we had a few cases of this nature and it has been on the rise since then- there, ”notes Dr Girard.
At CHU Sainte-Justine, between two and four patients are hospitalized on a regular basis for COVID-19. Dr. Girard points out, however, that since adolescents are vaccinated, there are less than 12 years and more who stay in the hospital.
The establishment of new walk-in pediatric clinics a few weeks ago seems to have an impact on the number of emergency rooms in pediatric hospitals, observes Dr Girard.
“There seems to be a slight decrease that is setting in, we will hope that it will last, but it is clear until very recently, our occupancy rate was very high”, underlines the doctor.
Walk-in pediatric clinics exist throughout Quebec.
“There are around 600 time slots every day to accommodate children aged 0-16. An appointment is given within 24 hours of the call, ”explains Dr. Girard.
Parents who worry about needing a negative COVID test to push through a clinic door can sleep easy.
“The viruses that circulate the most in the pediatric community are influenza viruses, sometimes it is COVID, but often it is not,” observes Dr. Girard. “Whether you have symptoms called hot, such as fever, or others, such as abdominal pain, you can go to one of these clinics and meet with a doctor who will do an assessment and treatment if necessary.”
The doctor recalls that hygiene measures, such as hand washing and wearing a mask, remain important for young people.
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