Trends in Overall Activity: The number of visits and hospitalizations among adults remained stable over the past week. Among children aged 2 to 14, following two weeks of decline, there was a 15% increase in visits and hospitalizations (+4,729 visits, +457 hospitalizations). Among children under 2 years of age, overall activity has decreased (-9% in visits, -5% in hospitalizations). The number of visits remains higher than in 2013 during this period.

Trends in Major ConditionsThe most common conditions seen in emergency departments are stable among adults and generally declining among children under 2 years of age (primarily due to a decrease in visits for ENT infections and isolated fever). Among children aged 2 to 14, there has been an increase in visits for nonspecific abdominal pain (+47%, +521 visits), urinary tract infections (+27%, +76 visits), and trauma (+21%, +2,851 visits).

Trends in Seasonal Indicators Emergency department visits for asthma are increasing among 2- to 14-year-olds (+21%, or +168 visits), likely linked to the return to school following the All Saints’ Day holidays. In other age groups, visits for asthma are decreasing. The trends follow the same pattern as in 2013 and 2012. Among children aged 2 to 14, emergency room visits for acute bronchitis have increased by 19% (+31 visits). They are decreasing among children under 2 and among adults. With 1,092 visits over the past week, the numbers are close to those observed in 2012 and 2013. Among children under 2 years of age, emergency room visits for bronchiolitis are down this week (-10%, -98 visits over the past week), with a seasonal trend very similar to that of 2013. Emergency room visits for ENT infections are down among both children and adults. With 6,200 visits over the past week (-17%), the numbers are similar to those observed in 2012 and 2013. Emergency department visits for pneumonia, isolated fever, influenza/flu-like illness, and gastroenteritis are stable or declining across all age groups.