Destruction or Deterrence: Exploring Canada’s Response to the Omicron Surge

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Increase by 19% in Canada: A Lingering Impact of the Pandemic

A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveals that COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada have increased by 19% from April 2022 to March 2023, compared to the previous year. Despite a decline in infections and hospitalizations in the spring, the recent waves caused by the Omicron variant have kept hospitalization rates high across the country. The report highlights that there were over 120,000 COVID-19-related hospitalizations during this period, with an additional 19,000 hospitalizations compared to the previous year.

Impacts on Hospital Visits and Intensive Care Admissions

While hospitalizations have increased, visits to emergency departments for COVID-19 have actually decreased. Provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, reported over 222,000 emergency department visits due to COVID-19 in the 2022-2023 period, compared to 262,000 visits from April 2021 to March 2022. The number of admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) has also decreased from 21,000 to 16,000.

Vulnerable Populations and Long-Term Effects

The report highlights that approximately 25% of patients presenting to the emergency department with COVID-19 symptoms were admitted to the hospital, and over 10% of hospitalized patients were admitted to ICUs. Among those admitted to ICUs, 40% required mechanical ventilation, and 25% died. The study also reveals that the average duration of hospitalizations increased from 13 days in 2021-2022 to 20 days in 2022-2023. The age group most affected by the increase in hospitalizations is individuals aged 65 and older.

Dr. Gilbert Boucher, President of the Association des spécialistes en médecine d’urgence du Québec and an emergency physician at the Montreal Heart Institute, points out that the shortage of healthcare workers exacerbates the strain on hospitals. The lack of personnel is taking a toll, with the least sick patients in waiting rooms suffering the consequences. The overcrowded waiting rooms have been a persistent issue. He also expresses hope that children, who experienced a wave of respiratory illnesses last fall, including respiratory syncytial virus, will not be as severely affected this year.

The Financial Cost of Hospitalizations

The estimated total cost of hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Canada, excluding Quebec, from April 2022 to March 2023 is approximately $2.9 billion. The average estimated cost of a COVID-19-related hospital stay was $24,000, three times higher than the average hospital stay. ICU stays averaged $53,000 per patient.

In Quebec, data from the Institut national de la santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) shows that there were 44,372 hospitalizations related to COVID-19 from April 2022 to March 2023. Among these hospitalizations, 17,559 were non-ICU admissions for COVID-19, and 23,345 were admissions for other causes with a COVID-19 diagnosis. Additionally, there were 1,148 ICU admissions for COVID-19 during this period.

Long-Term Health Implications

A recent American study published in the journal Nature indicates that individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 have a significantly higher risk of death and experience more long-term sequelae, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and pulmonary issues, up to two years after infection compared to those who were not hospitalized.

The cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to strain the healthcare system, even as we emerge from the worst of it. The impact on hospitals and emergency services across the country persists. Dr. Teresa Tam, Canada‘s Chief Public Health Officer, warns that the stabilization of the situation does not mean the end of COVID-19‘s short- or long-term effects. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, continue to bear the brunt of the disease. COVID-19 has also been linked to the development of chronic illnesses and the emergence of post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long COVID.

Editorial: Addressing the Lingering Effects of the Pandemic

The increasing number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada is a stark reminder that the pandemic’s impact is far from over. While the vaccination efforts and public health measures have reduced the severity of cases and hospitalizations, the emergence of new variants, such as Omicron, demands continued vigilance.

It is crucial for the government and healthcare authorities to focus on strengthening the healthcare system to handle potential future waves and other health emergencies effectively. This includes investing in healthcare infrastructure, increasing the capacity of hospitals, and addressing the shortage of healthcare workers. By doing so, we can ensure that the system remains resilient and capable of providing quality care to all Canadians.

Preparing for Future Challenges

As we navigate through the ongoing pandemic, it has become clear that proactive planning is key to mitigating the impact of future waves and potential outbreaks of other respiratory viruses. This includes maintaining high vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable populations, and developing targeted strategies to address the unique healthcare needs of different regions and populations within the country.

Furthermore, investments in research and development are crucial for understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on individuals, especially those who have been hospitalized. This information will not only help in providing appropriate care for long COVID patients but also contribute to preventing and managing potential long-term health complications resulting from the disease.

Finally, fostering a culture of individual and collective responsibility is essential in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. Canadians must continue to follow public health guidelines, including wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, and getting vaccinated. Through these collective efforts, we can protect ourselves and each other, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and ultimately overcome the persisting challenges posed by the pandemic.

The road to recovery may be long, but by learning from the lessons of the past and working together, we can emerge stronger and more resilient in the face of future health crises.