Emergencies Overflow: ‘We’ve Reached the Critical Threshold’

In recent days, the level of emergency traffic has risen sharply across Quebec due to the Omicron variant.

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“In the last 48 hours to 72 hours, we are urgently feeling the surge in cases, particularly COVID-19 hospital admissions. More and more, we can see that our hospital capacity will be overrun,” says Dr. Laurie Rubishod, Vice President of the Society of Emergency Medicine Specialists. In Quebec: “I would like to tell you that we have reached our critical threshold today.”

In hospitals, staff are having a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel this time because the Omicron variant affects everyone.

“We’re so used to holding on to each other, helping each other and finding solutions to problems that don’t seem to have anything to do with it. On the other hand, I’d like to tell you that when it comes to health, to ourselves, to our families, as well as to all the blows we’ve had in the past few months. This is what makes it so difficult,” the specialist explains.

During this fourth wave, health authorities have reported in recent weeks that at least 50% of hospitalizations are citizens who have decided to refuse vaccination.

However, the doctor says their opinion changes quickly when they find themselves in a hospital bed.

“All the people who had COVID and who were up against vaccines before they got sick, I would tell you the majority cry and despair a bit of their condition especially when they are very sick. I would tell you that it changes even family members who didn’t believe it,” M explains.^I Robichaud.

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