Wildfire smoke from northern Ontario has brought more people to Hamilton emergency departments, with St. Joseph’s Healthcare reporting 15 to 25 additional patients a day because of the smoke, CHCH reported.
Hamilton Health Sciences also reported a small rise in respiratory complaints. The hospital network said the increase was likely similar to what emergency medical services were encountering.
The reports from the two hospital organizations describe different measures of the impact: St. Joseph’s provided an estimate of additional daily visits, while Hamilton Health Sciences described its increase in respiratory complaints without giving a patient count.
For residents, the medical advice centres on reducing exposure and paying attention to symptoms, particularly among people whose health conditions make them more vulnerable.
Advice for people at higher risk
St. Joseph’s identified young people, older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions as the groups most vulnerable to the health effects of wildfire smoke.
Dr. Alim Pardhan, chief of emergency medicine at Hamilton Health Sciences, advised residents to limit their time outdoors. He particularly emphasized that advice for people with underlying respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Pardhan also recommended keeping windows closed and checking in more frequently with vulnerable people.
His advice included a warning about symptoms that require immediate attention: anyone experiencing increased shortness of breath or chest pain should go to an emergency department right away.
