01/08/2026
Ambulances, hospitals and emergency departments are facing a lot of strain due to a high number of flu cases. The Erie County Department of Health is urging people to get vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
ECDOH is also encouraging patients with minor flu symptoms or minor injuries to work with their primary care provider or an urgent care clinic, leaving ambulances and emergency departments available to treat patients with severe or life-threatening conditions.
Another resource is the UBMD Emergency Medicine division known as EM Connect - visit emconnect.org for details.
Local hospitals and ambulance services continue to experience significant strain due to an increase in patients with severe respiratory symptoms. Urgent care facilities, doctors’ offices and telehealth services are often faster, more efficient options for medical care
During a call this week with Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) staff, emergency medical service agencies and hospital system representatives reported ongoing challenges in EDs across the region. Volunteer and professional ambulance crews face extended turnaround times – up to two to three hours – to transfer patients to hospital care. ED volumes have been consistently high for several weeks. Patients experience longer-than-usual wait times to be triaged and seen. Delays in discharges to follow-up care facilities place additional strain on patient care. The end result: additional stress on the entire healthcare system.
The recent reported influenza case increase has led to more patients with more severe illnesses, requiring higher levels of care and longer hospital stays. When patients who have relatively minor symptoms call for an ambulance or visit an ED, they use limited hospital resources that could be used to treat patients with severe, life-threatening conditions.
A primary care provider or urgent care clinic can manage most common illnesses, such as influenza, common colds, sore throats, earaches, minor headaches, low-grade fevers and limited rashes, along with minor injuries like sprains, bruises, minor burns and cuts, broken bones that do not limit movement, and minor eye injuries.
“Reported influenza cases have increased the past few weeks, locally and statewide, and we can expect to see flu circulating into the spring,” said Dr. Burstein. “There is still time to get an influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine or RSV vaccine; these are safe and effective preventive measures. Also, follow other basic guidance to reduce the risk of respiratory illness transmission: stay home and away from others when sick, wash your hands, and wear a mask, especially if you are an older adult or have chronic medical conditions.”
https://www3.erie.gov/health/press/amid-high-patient-volumes-erie-county-urges-residents-use-emergency-departments-and-ambulance
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