Canada - British Columbia: Some anecdotal reports of a respiratory illness circulating - November 29, 2022 - surge capacity issues part of problem

[kiwibird]

No information for British Columbia for the past week -https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/fluwatch/2022-2023/week-46-november-13-november-19-2022.html

Doesn't seem to have offered information since October 1. Seeing there are unconfirmed reports of a severe ili that is circulating in the Vancouver surrounds - that is testing negative for Covid, RSV and flu - the lack of information is disturbing.

 

[sharon sanders]

from 4 days ago.....

Published Nov. 25, 2022 2:01 p.m. EST

snip

Hospitals across B.C., including on Vancouver Island, are getting hit hard by increases in children coming in with respiratory illnesses.

It's a fact that Health Minister Adrian Dix is aware of. On Thursday, he said that non-urgent surgeries may get postponed as hospitals struggle to keep up with growing respiratory demands, particularly for children, though he stressed the province wasn't at that point yet.

"On Vancouver Island and everywhere else, there's significant challenges right now in the emergency room," he said.

"This is going to be a difficult influenza season, in addition to COVID-19, in addition to RSV," he said.

more....

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/...concern-at-vancouver-island-schools-1.6168928

 

[sharon sanders]

B.C. ready to cancel non-urgent surgeries as respiratory cases flood overcrowded hospitals


Health Minister Adrian Dix said postponing non-urgent surgeries is one way to create room at hospitals for patients, especially children, who are fighting flu and other respiratory illnesses

Author of the article:
Lori Culbert
Publishing date:
Nov 25, 2022 • 5 days ago • 3 minute read

https://vancouversun.com/news/local...nts-from-e-r-due-to-respiratory-illness-spike

 

[sharon sanders]

Posted: Nov 23, 2022 5:32 PM PT | Last Updated: November 23

snip

Emily Gruenwoldt, the president and CEO of CHC, said viruses are spreading quickly nationwide, with overburdened health-care systems ill-equipped to manage the influx.

"This idea of an overnight crisis in pediatrics has actually been decades in the making," she told CBC's On the Coast.

"Our children's health-care system from coast to coast is undersized. We don't have the physical infrastructure to meet the needs of children as they grow and develop, but we also don't have the highly specialized workforce that also takes care of these young kids.

"Our kids are now waiting longer for essential health-care service than many of our adults."

The organization is asking provinces and Ottawa to convene a First Ministers meeting between premiers, the prime minister and the chief nursing officer to build a plan addressing the children's health-care crisis.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/brit...dren-s-emergency-overflow-activated-1.6662311

 

[sharon sanders]

I can not find anything valid about the diagnosis or test results. A person who was saying test results are negative for covid, flu, rsv has apparently deleted their post/account.

This looks like a surge of miscellaneous respiratory illnesses as mask mandates expired, schools returned, cold weather setting in, + under capacity of health service.

We will keep digging.

 

[sharon sanders]

+ drug shortages........


Drug shortages worsen across Canada, extend beyond kids' pain and fever meds


Updated Nov. 17, 2022 9:44 a.m. EST
Published Nov. 15, 2022 3:47 p.m. EST


06:02Pediatric ICUs overcrowded across Canada

02:11CTV National News: Feds aid medication shortage

05:001M bottles is only a 'short term' solution: Bates

02:11Canada shipping in more child medication

00:431M bottles of kids' medication arriving next week

02:22What's driving demand for kid's Tylenol, Advil?

04:54What's behind the mass medication shortage?

02:09End in sight for children's Tylenol shortage

02:24Parents left struggling to find medicine for kids

01:58What are alternatives to kids' Tylenol or Advil?
04:26Options during the children's Tylenol shortage?

02:14No Children's Tylenol, Advil on store shelves

02:10CTV National News: Kids' Tylenol shortages in Ont.

03:01Tylenol shortage expanded to chewable tablets

02:03CTV National News: Chaos from Tylenol shortage

02:32Bare shelves for children's liquid medicine

01:26Pharmacies low on cold and flu meds

02:59Cold medication in short supply in Canada


Updated Nov. 17, 2022 9:44 a.m. EST
Published Nov. 15, 2022 3:47 p.m. EST

HALIFAX -

Drugstore shortages in Canada are now extending beyond the children's pain and fever medication aisle into other over-the-counter and prescription drugs as supply problems worsen across the country.

Hundreds of medications are either running low or out of stock completely, with some store shelves depleted of children's allergy medication, adult cough and cold syrup, eye drops and even some oral antibiotics, industry experts say.

The situation is leaving pharmacists scrambling to find alternatives while many Canadians end up at drop-in health clinics or waiting hours in emergency rooms for ailments they would normally treat at home.

more....

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/drug-...end-beyond-kids-pain-and-fever-meds-1.6154117

 

[sharon sanders]

Meanwhile in neighboring Washington state, USA.........


Public Health director said 25 percent of flu tests coming back positive

By Nika Bartoo-Smith, Columbian staff reporter
Published: November 30, 2022, 11:23am


The Washington State Department of Health's "Health-in-motion Care-a-van" makes a stop at St. Joseph Catholic Church to distribute COVID-19 vaccinations in February. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian)Washington, like the country at large, is in the middle of a triple whammy of respiratory illnesses as hospital beds continue to fill with COVID-19, flu and RSV patients.

Medical experts and hospital officials in Clark County are urging individuals to avoid going to the emergency department unless experiencing a health emergency, according to Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Public Health director.

Melnick urged individuals to first seek care with a primary care doctor or urgent care to avoid long wait times and further strain on emergency departments in Clark County.

more....

https://www.columbian.com/news/2022/...-clark-county/

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Pathfinder


There is no flu data reported for British Columbia in this report:

Canada - FluWatch report: November 13 to November 19, 2022 (week 46)


But neighboring Alberta is reporting a high level of flu. So both Washington state to the south and Alberta province to the east are reporting high levels of various respiratory illnesses.

 

[sharon sanders]

One doctor there.......says surge is due to "common cold" viruses


Sanjiv K Gandhi
@SKGandhiMD
Dad, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, advocate for improving Canadian healthcare
Medical & HealthWest Vancouver, BCJoined February 2022
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Sanjiv K Gandhi
@SKGandhiMD
·
Nov 28
In BC, the tidal wave of pediatric respiratory viruses is intensified by a strained healthcare system, pretending the pandemic is over, and the elimination of basic public health tools. Lack of transparency, defensive excuses, and apathy will result in many more very sick kids.
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Sanjiv K Gandhi
@SKGandhiMD
·
Nov 14
I’m dad to 3 and a Pediatric Cardiac surgeon. This viral season is unique. Cancelling elective operations has become routine. Previously healthy kids need life support for “common cold” viruses. Mandating masks in schools and indoor public settings is a mandatory “inconvenience”.