Respiratory illnesses, colds and flu cause additional strain on Maritime health services
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital -- and its emergency room -- were busy Monday, though much of what ER staff were dealing with wasn't COVID-19.
"It's been crazy,” said emergency room physician Dr. Margaret Fraser. “The first eight people I saw this morning, I would say seven of them were colds and one possible influenza.”
Fraser said it's part of a recent increase in respiratory illnesses.
"[It’s] earlier than usual,” she said. “Normally we don't see this uptick until January.”
At his pharmacy just down the highway in Baddeck, N.S., Graham MacKenzie says he has noticed the trend too.
He’s started to get some cough syrups back on his shelves but is still short on Tylenol and Advil, and says staff continue to make their own.
"We've given, I guess, a younger generation less of a chance to become exposed to a lot of viruses,” MacKenzie said. “I don't have a firm explanation for you as to why everybody has it now."
It's a similar trend on Prince Edward Island.
Emergency room doctor Trevor Jain says when you add COVID-19 to the mix, the system risks being overwhelmed.
"We're trying to look after a triple threat of respiratory illnesses, already at full hospitals,” Jain said. “If our hospitals were at 85 per cent capacity, which is the sweet spot for [surgical] capacity … when you get a triple threat when you're at 100 per cent capacity, things can go south."
As for what we can do to protect ourselves and others, Fraser and MacKenzie had the same message.
"If you're in a store, if you're in an indoor setting, as much as possible, keep your masks on because these illnesses are out there,” Fraser said.
MacKenzie says while many are tired of wearing a facemask, he’s recommending it.
“There has to be masking,” said MacKenzie. “I'm very adamant about that right now."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.