Winnipeg's Children's Hospital sees jump in RSV, flu cases, number expected to keep climbing

Winnipeg's Children's Hospital is seeing a surge in the number of patients with respiratory illnesses, and one doctor says they're bracing for cases to keep growing in the coming weeks.

Dr. Karen Gripp, a pediatric emergency physician and director of the hospital's emergency room, said they have treated around 160 patients every day over the last few weeks, up from an average of around 120 patients in early December.

Though not all of those visits were related to respiratory viruses, "we are definitely seeing a surge in those respiratory viruses, specifically RSV and influenza as well as a few others," said Gripp.

"We're definitely expecting the numbers to go up."

How quickly that will happen is hard to say, said Gripp, but "when those go up around the same time, that really is the most difficult time for us in the winter, and even more difficult for the patients, of course, who are sick with those viruses."

The surge in patients at Children's Hospital came at around Christmas, she said, and part of it could be attributed to fewer health-care facilities being open during that time of the year. 

"But we're also seeing an increase in the number of sick kids, children who need admission, and possibly even the intensive care unit. So the viruses are definitely here," said Gripp.

The numbers are still low compared to 2022, when the hospital was seeing patient levels in the 200s, she said. Since then, the Children's Hospital has increased staffing capacity, adding another shift of physicians to the emergency room. 

"That, I think, is making a big difference," Gripp said. "We're doing the best we can."

Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, said a surge in patients with RSV and other respiratory illnesses is expected every year at this time. 

But with facilities in some parts of the province not being appropriately staffed to care for critically ill children, the influx of patients concentrates in Winnipeg, Jackson said. 

More patients are straining already understaffed health departments, forcing nurses to work sometimes without breaks or handle more patients than they should, she said. 

"That actually adds much of the stress to this situation.… There's always a worry that something's going to be missed," Jackson said. 

Gripp said the hospital has bolstered its contingency plan for the regular emergency ward and the intensive care unit, hoping to keep every patient who comes to the children's hospital at the health-care unit. 

"That includes, of course, not just the physical bed, but also the nursing and the medical staffing and support to go with that," she said. 

However, prevention is still the "single thing that can make the biggest difference" in helping with rising numbers, Gripp said, including getting flu shots, washing your hands carefully and staying home when you're sick. 

"We say don't kiss the babies," she added, as the highest risk group for respiratory viruses is those younger than 12 months old. 

Children's Hospital in Winnipeg seeing spike in respiratory ailments

2 days ago

Duration 1:33

Winnipeg’s Children's Hospital is experiencing a surge in the number of patients experiencing respiratory illnesses, and one doctor says they're bracing for cases to keep growing in the coming weeks.