Summary

In Week 10 (March 5–11, 2018), all-cause emergency department visits remained stable among children under 2 years of age, increased by 18% among children aged 2–14 (+9,455 visits), and rose by 6% among adults (+16,080 visits). Hospitalizations following emergency department visits increased by 12% among 2- to 14-year-olds (+560 hospitalizations) and remained stable among adults.

Among seasonal illnesses, visits for influenza are down among children (-22%) and adults aged 15–74 (-6%), while they are up among those over 75 (+23%, +94 visits). Hospitalizations are also up by 18% in this age group. Across all age groups, the proportion of hospitalizations for influenza is higher than in the previous two years. Hospitalizations for gastroenteritis are rising among children (+7%, +340 hospitalizations) and adults (+5%, +74 hospitalizations). Among 2- to 14-year-olds, hospitalizations for gastroenteritis are rising (+19%). Admissions for respiratory conditions other than influenza (acute bronchitis, pneumonia, ENT conditions) are stabilizing among adults. Among nonspecific indicators, there was a 21% increase in admissions for general malaise among children (+113 admissions) and a 7% increase among adults (+655 admissions). Among children, this increase is accompanied by a 25% rise in hospitalizations.

Among children, the most common conditions showing significant variation are trauma (+28%) and abdominal pain (+23%). There is also a 15% increase in urinary tract infections among children under 2 years of age. Among adults, the most common conditions among those aged 15–74 are chest pain (+15%), neurological disorders (+10%), and abdominal pain (+8%). Among those aged 75 and older, visits are on the rise for respiratory failure (+6%) and urinary tract infections (+5%).