Province opens emergency centres to manage busy respiratory illness season

British Columbia’s Health Ministry will be activating emergency operation centres in health authorities next week to manage patient care needs during the respiratory illness season.

The ministry said the EOCs will provide enhanced supports and a co-ordinated response during periods of expected additional pressure for the 20 busiest hospitals which include the ones in Vernon and Kelowna.

“They ensure people have continued quality access to hospital care. People who require ongoing hospital care will continue to receive it,” a ministry news release stated.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says they’ve been dealing with an unprecedented increase in demand in the health care system.

Dix says 223 people were in hospital with influenza or R-S-V, as of Wednesday, while 356 people are hospitalized with COVID-19.

“British Columbia traditionally experiences an increase in hospitalizations in January as people access care after the holiday period. This coincides with increases in respiratory illnesses and surgeries ramping back up after the holiday slowdown,” the release stated.

EOCs will support the response to the demand, and they have also been used during the COVID pandemic, as well as during wildfire and extreme weather events.

The EOCs will be in place for a minimum of six weeks.

“They will help ensure dedicated leadership teams are reviewing hospital bed availability and identifying solutions to ease emergency department congestion. These actions increase patient flow so that the most vulnerable patients, including those who need critical care, get the care they need,” the ministry explained.

Resources will be available seven days a week to support hospital units at the 20 B.C. hospitals that care for the most patients: Abbotsford Regional, Royal Columbian, Surrey Memorial, East Kootenay Regional, Kelowna General, Kootenay Boundary Regional, Penticton Regional, Royal Inland, Vernon Jubilee, Fort St. John & Peace Villa, Mills Memorial, University Hospital of Northern BC, BC Children’s, Lions Gate, Richmond, St. Paul’s, Vancouver General, Nanaimo Regional General, Royal Jubilee, and Victoria General.

Over the next two weeks, health authorities will reduce overall hospital occupancy and ensure emergency departments have available patient care beds for acutely ill patients.

Residents can do their part by getting vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, staying home when they are sick and by following public-health guidance.

People with life-threatening symptoms should go to their hospital emergency department. Those with non-emergency health concerns can visit their care provider or a walk-in clinic. People who need urgent, same-day care can contact an urgent and primary care centre. If unsure, call 811 for advice or visit: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca