Alberta hospitals brace for peak flu pressure as Calgary bears brunt of surge

Calgary is bearing the brunt of Alberta’s worst flu surge in more than a decade, and doctors are warning that the system is pushed to its limits.

Alberta’s health-care system is under strain as influenza cases surge sharply across the province, and Calgary hospitals are absorbing a disproportionate share of the pressure with rising hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and a growing death toll.

As of Dec. 13, Alberta has recorded 5,996 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, according to provincial data, with 1,262 people hospitalized, 86 admitted to intensive care and 39 deaths linked to the virus.

Test positivity sits at 34.6 per cent, while only 17.7 per cent of Albertans have received a flu shot.

Calgary has emerged as a focal point of the outbreak. The Calgary zone has reported 2,756 cases—nearly half of the provincial total—resulting in 617 hospitalizations, 38 ICU admissions and 23 deaths.

Spread has accelerated rapidly.

Since Nov. 29, influenza cases in Alberta have increased 2.75 times, hospitalizations have more than doubled, ICU admissions have nearly tripled and 24 additional deaths have been recorded.

Health officials say the surge was expected as part of respiratory virus season but acknowledge this year’s influenza wave is hitting harder than usual, even as COVID-19 and RSV activity remain lower than in previous years.

Calgary hospitals activate surge plans as ER volumes rise

Emergency departments in Calgary and Edmonton are experiencing the heaviest pressure, with influenza A driving a steady influx of patients.

Dr. Peter Jamieson, Alberta Health Services’ vice-president of quality and chief medical officer, said the increase is evident across the system and where he works at Calgary’s Foothills Medical Centre.

“We are definitely seeing an increase in patient volumes related to influenza in particular,” Jamieson said.

“This isn’t unique to where I work. It’s common across the province, and in fact, it’s common across the northern hemisphere.”

Jamieson said emergency departments are exceptionally busy, as cold weather and indoor gatherings fuel transmission.

“If you need to come to emergency, we are here for you, and it is safe and appropriate that you come,” he said, while noting emergency departments are not always the right place for mild illness.

To manage the pressure, Alberta has designated 336 hospital beds for respiratory virus season.

Of those, 206 have been converted to permanent, year-round capacity, with another 130 activated during peak periods.

Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones said the system planned early and aggressively for this season.

“We did make the decision this summer to make some of our surge response beds permanent,” Jones said.

“So, we did have the highest capacity, I think, ever, in preparation for this season.”

“We open overcapacity spaces. We load-level quite aggressively. We repatriate patients closer to home,” he said.

“And we create designated discharge spaces so there’s somewhere for people to go so they can free up a bed for the next patient.”

“We also manage traffic between our zones or corridors so that we reduce inbound traffic to high-pressure areas,” he said.

Jamieson said operational efficiency has become critical to maintaining flow, noting even modest improvements can have system-wide effects.

“If I can move a patient out of their inpatient bed one hour earlier … I can free up three or four beds just by doing it that way,” he said.

Frontline doctor flags staffing strain, mixed vaccine messaging

Dr. Sam Wong, Alberta Medical Association (AMA) pediatrics section president, said staffing shortages—not bed numbers—are driving hospital strain as influenza cases rise.

“I’ve currently been on service for the past week at the Stollery (Children’s Hospital), and I’ve been seeing a lot of influenza patients that have pneumonia, respiratory issues or are needing some extra support,” Wong said.

“And while it’s one thing to have the beds, it’s actually another to have the people to staff the beds—that becomes more of a crucial issue.”

Dr. Brian Wirzba, AMA president, echoed those concerns, noting even with extra surge beds, hospitals remain stretched.

“It’s good to have some extra funding, but you’re also seeing staff members being sick and off,” he said.

“We’re getting into the holiday season, and people had holidays planned. It’s going to be a tough couple of weeks, for sure.”

Wirzba also highlighted the human toll on health workers.

“Burnout has been a big issue in the profession,” he said.

“Along with nursing staff and all the other people that I work with, strain and stress always increase around the holiday season, and these types of surges don’t help.”

“We’re trying to support each other, but patients need to be patient with us, too,” he said.

Both Wong and Wirzba stressed the importance of vaccination despite mixed messaging from public health authorities.

Wong criticized inconsistent guidance emphasizing the vaccine’s imperfect strain match, saying even partial protection is worthwhile.

“If that’s the messaging from the province, it’s not helping us,” Wong said.

“Some protection is better than nothing. I mean, if you had a 20 per cent chance of protecting yourself against an ICU admission, why wouldn’t you take it, right?”

“That to me just seems like a no-brainer,” he said.

Wirzba said ongoing public reminders about handwashing, mask-wearing and staying home when sick remain critical.

“We’re doing our best, but we want to make sure people get the care they need, even if it’s less than ideal circumstances,” he said.

Province urges alternatives to ERs as flu season intensifies

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Alberta has been preparing for respiratory virus season for months and continues to urge Albertans to choose the right level of care.

“I want to remind all Albertans not every flu case requires a trip to the emergency department,” LaGrange said.

“Care options do include community urgent care centres and pharmacies, primary care providers and virtual care services.”

She acknowledged influenza activity has more than doubled since late November and described the season as “somewhat unusual,” noting circulating strains are not an exact match for this year’s vaccine.

“That may mean more people will experience illness,” LaGrange said.

“That said, immunization still plays an important role in reducing the risk of severe outcomes.”

LaGrange said influenza vaccination is free and widely available and noted the province has spent more than $500,000 on public health messaging.

“We’ve been tackling respiratory virus season from the very beginning,” she said.

“The flu is very real, and in fact, it can actually be a very severe reaction this year.”

She said COVID-19 and RSV activity remain significantly lower than in previous years.

“While it remains early in the season overall, these trends are within expected ranges,” LaGrange said.

Jones said surgeries are continuing, and there are no current plans for widespread cancellations.

“Our emergency departments are under pressure,” he said.

“But they are dynamic, and they do add additional beds and staffing resources as required.”

New chief medical officer stresses shared responsibility

The influenza surge comes as Alberta installs a new chief medical officer of health.

Dr. Vivian Suttorp is stepping into the role amid lingering public mistrust of health institutions.

Asked whether she fears being scapegoated if public health measures prove unpopular, Suttorp emphasized shared responsibility.

“One of my mottos is that everybody owns public health,” she said.

“Every individual, every family, every school, every faith-based organization, every community.”

Suttorp said her background in family medicine and public health influenced her decision to take the role.

“This is a unique time in Alberta,” she said.

“Public health is actually woven into the primary care framework.”

On vaccine hesitancy, she also said trust and access are central challenges that will continue to require effective public communication.

“It’s important to build those trusting relationships,” Suttorp said.

“To understand what the concerns are.”

She said Alberta relies on community health representatives and culturally appropriate outreach to reach hesitant populations.

“There are many strategies across the province to offer access … in ways that are acceptable and culturally safe,” Suttorp said.

Modelling suggests peak near, but pressure remains

Provincial modelling suggests influenza activity may peak around Dec. 21, with RSV expected to peak in early January and hospitalizations typically lagging by about a week.

Officials caution holiday gatherings, travel and increased indoor contact could alter that trajectory and place additional strain on emergency departments and inpatient units.

“This one is looking a little worse than usual from an influenza point of view,” Jamieson said.

“But it’s less severe from a COVID and RSV point of view.”

Jamieson said Albertans can help ease pressure on hospitals by taking basic precautions, particularly when symptoms are mild.

“If you’re sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Think carefully about where you seek care,” he said.

Jamieson also encouraged people to use Health Link 811, primary care providers or virtual services for guidance before heading to an emergency department when possible.

“If you’re not sure, seek our help,” Jamieson said. “We’re here to advise you,” he said.