Several Montreal emergency rooms top 200% occupancy as flu season starts early

Several Montreal emergency rooms were above 200 per cent stretcher occupancy late Monday morning, led by Lakeshore Hospital at 226 per cent, the Jewish General at 219 and the Montreal Children's at 217. More than 200 Montreal patients had waited over 24 hours. Across Quebec, the average stretcher wait Sunday was 18 hours and 40 minutes. The McGill University Health Centre cited more consultations, complex needs among older patients, limited beds, respiratory viruses and trauma cases. An infectious diseases physician there said flu season arrived about four weeks early. Other surgical departments are taking transfers meant for the Montreal General.