Trends in Overall Activity: After three weeks of a moderate increase in activity at hospital emergency departments, the number of visits and hospitalizations has remained stable or declined slightly across all age groups over the past week. There has been a decrease in hospitalizations among children (-6%, or 464 fewer hospitalizations among 2- to 14-year-olds; -8%, or 186 fewer hospitalizations among children under 2). The number of visits has returned to a level close to that of the same period in 2013.

Trends in Major ConditionsThe conditions most frequently seen in emergency departments are stable or declining across all age groups. However, there was a 17% increase in visits for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age.

Trends in seasonal indicators: Among children under 2 years of age, emergency department visits for bronchiolitis increased by 17% over the past week (representing 73 additional visits). With 491 weekly visits, the level of activity for this condition is within expected ranges, below the epidemic threshold. Emergency room visits for asthma decreased by 18% among children under 15 and adults over 75, and remained stable among adults under 75 over the past week. This trend is expected following the peak traditionally observed during the three weeks after the start of the school year. With 2,422 weekly visits, the numbers are very close to those of 2013, while remaining higher than those of 2012. Emergency room visits for acute bronchitis are up 28% among children aged 2 to 14 (an increase of 46 visits) and 10% among adults over 75 (an increase of 19 visits), but stable in other age groups, with numbers in line with seasonal expectations. An increase in visits for pneumonia is also noted among children under 2 years of age (+15%, or +10 visits), while numbers are stable for other age groups, with figures close to those of previous years.Emergency department visits for other seasonal conditions (influenza, isolated fever, gastroenteritis, and ENT infections) are stable or declining across all age groups, consistent with the usual seasonal trend. Note a 19% increase in visits for influenza among adults under 75, though with low numbers (+18 visits, 112 weekly visits).