Beds in hospitals | Is likely to exceed dedicated capabilities

Unlike in previous weeks, dedicated capabilities could not be surpassed, especially since half of the designated beds were already occupied, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) revealed.

Stephen Levsky
Local Journalism Initiative

Therefore, estimates suggest that for the whole of Quebec, the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital will increase. For Montreal and its neighborhoods (Zone 1), growth in the newly assessed hospital is growing even more significantly. Estimates are that there will be a significant increase in bed occupancy in the coming weeks.

For other areas (Zone 2), the number of new hospital admissions is stable. However, two-thirds of the beds designated for COVID-19 patients are currently occupied. Exceeding the planned limits can still be ruled out in some hospitals. Note that the risk of outbreaks in hospitals is a major concern and may reduce the convenience of affected hospitals.

With regard to hospitalization risk, the number of new cases increased (8%) compared to the previous week (14,203 vs. 13,205). Proportionately, this increase is highest in those aged 80 and over (+ 28%). The increase in the number of cases continues for four weeks (+ 74%). This increase is five times greater in the greater Montreal area compared to the rest of Quebec.

The number of planned hospitals has increased by more than 50% in the last four weeks. For Montreal and its neighborhoods, that number has more than doubled and now represents two-thirds of the estimated hospitalization in Quebec. Of the new cases confirmed in the 20 to 20 weeks of December 2020, 717 were at risk of hospitalization, an increase of 19% over the previous week (603).

COVID-19 in graphics

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