Summary

In Week 9 (February 26–March 4, 2018), all-cause emergency department visits declined slightly among children under 2 years of age (-3%) and more markedly among those aged 2–14 (-15%), given the school vacation period. Among adults, activity remained stable for those aged 15–74 and increased slightly for those aged 75 and older (+4%).

Among seasonal conditions, there was an increase in visits for pneumonia (+9.5%, or +455 visits) among adults. Visits for bronchitis, which rose in week 8, remained stable in week 9. The share of these two indicators in total adult activity was higher than in the previous two years. Among children, despite the overall decline in activity, there was a continued increase in visits for gastroenteritis (+5%, or +219 visits) at a rate comparable to that of 2017. Visits for influenza/flu-like illness declined across all age groups. Non-specific indicators were stable or declined at the same rate as overall activity. Notably, there was a more pronounced decline in visits for asthma among children under 2 years of age (-20.5%, or -97 visits) and for allergies among those aged 75 and older (-30%, or -32 visits).

The most common conditions are, for the most part, declining among children and adults aged 15–74. Among adults aged 75 and older, there is an increase in visits for cardiac decompensation (+6.5%) and dyspnea/respiratory failure (+10.9%).