Strain on Winnipeg children's hospital has dropped, but officials say concerns remain

An official at the children's hospital in Winnipeg says the number of patients has dropped in recent days, but there are still concerns about the effects of the flu this winter.

Dr. Karen Gripp, the medical director of the hospital's emergency department, says the department is now seeing an average of 146 patients a day, down from an average of 170 in November.

She says Manitoba may be near the peak of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, but flu cases are still rising.

Gripp says the pediatric intensive care unit is still running above pre-pandemic baseline capacity.

She says influenza A numbers are still on an upswing and influenza B has not yet arrived this season.

She is urging everyone eligible for a flu shot to get one.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2022