BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver has approved double bunking of patients in single occupancy rooms as it tries to cope with an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses.
A memo obtained by The Canadian Press says that while it’s best for patients to be in single rooms, two patients can share a room “if necessary to provide safe care.”
The memo, sent on Friday, says similar measures have been implemented in other years and adds that any decision to double down should be made in consultation with the hospital’s infection prevention and control team.
Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province was seeing a “dramatic increase” in illnesses, and they came earlier than seasonal flu usually would.
“I can’t stress enough the importation of the flu vaccine right now, this year in particular,” Henry said, speaking to reporters in Vancouver on Monday, Dec. 5. The following Thursday, the province confirmed that six children and youth have died this year. after contracting the flu.
Henry explained that many young children have not been exposed to the flu in the past two years thanks to COVID-19 restrictions and public health measures, which means they have a higher chance of falling. sick this year.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said at the same time that provincial emergency rooms had seen a peak of up to 6,900 patients a day, and that the province is prepared to cancel elective surgeries to do more. space in hospitals if necessary.
The province encourages adults and youth to get the flu shot and recommends people stay home when sick and wear masks when they have mild symptoms.
On Monday afternoon, the British Columbia Ministry of Health said 77,500 people have been vaccinated against the flu December 5-11, and more than 42,000 flu shots were administered in a blitz at a walk-in clinic Friday through Sunday.
The province says about 30% of B.C.’s general population over the age of six months has received a flu shot, including 186,606 young people between the ages of six months and 17 years old.
“Public health officials continue to encourage families and caregivers to get themselves and their children vaccinated against the flu before the holidays,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry says flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are free for all six months and older and that more information on how to register for your flu shot is available on its website.
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