Hospitals and emergency departments are seeing high demand this winter due to seasonal respiratory illnesses. After significant pressure in December, early indicators show influenza A has peaked and is trending downward, and hospital admissions are declining.

Hospitals in major urban centres continue to see the highest demand, driven mainly by influenza A earlier in the season. Coordinated actions across the health system are relieving pressures to maintain access to care. Hospitals activated surge and overcapacity plans to manage high demand. Action included opening temporary beds where staffing allows, using designated surge spaces, accelerating safe discharges and transfers and limiting non-essential inbound transfers to the busiest sites. Virtual hospital supports enable appropriate patients to recover safely at home.

“We thank health care staff for ensuring timely care for Albertans. Encouraging signs show influenza has peaked and hospitalizations are declining, while we continue expanding capacity so Albertans receive care when and where they need it.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services

Acute Care Alberta (ACA) has led daily, provincewide coordination across all sectors of the health care system, including Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health, to manage patient flow, staffing, and real-time pressures in emergency departments and inpatient units throughout respiratory virus season. Site leaders continue daily coordination to protect emergency capacity and keep inpatient beds available, while emergency departments remain open to treat urgent cases without interruption.

Quality Assurance Review

Since the tragic passing of Mr. Prashant Sreekumar at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital on Dec. 22, 2025, Acute Care Alberta completed a quality assurance review (QAR). This clinical review examines available information to understand what occurred and identify opportunities to strengthen care. Covenant Health has completed its own internal review, and an independent investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is underway.

We appreciate the work done through the QAR to strengthen the system, and Minister Jones is requesting that Alberta’s minister of justice order a fatality inquiry into the death of Mr. Sreekumar. In light of the significant and concerning circumstances in this matter, Minister Amery has taken the unprecedented step of ordering a fatality inquiry prior to a recommendation from the Fatality Review Board. This inquiry, led by a provincial judge, would examine the full circumstances of the death and issue public findings and recommendations to help prevent tragic events in the future.

“Acute Care Alberta (ACA) is coordinating a provincewide response to current capacity challenges by working closely with service delivery organizations like AHS, Covenant Health, and Lamont Health Centre to manage patient flow and ensure all available space is utilized. Our goal is always to ensure that Albertans get the care they need when they need it.”

David Diamond, interim CEO, Acute Care Alberta

Alberta’s government remains committed to strengthening health system capacity so emergency departments can focus on the most critical patients. This includes 1,000 acute care beds planned in Edmonton and Calgary through the Acute Care Action Plan, a $400-million immediate investment under the Assisted Living Framework to add 1,500 new continuing care spaces, and $17-million for nine urgent care centres across the province to improve patient flow and reduce emergency congestion.

Alberta’s government thanks health care professionals for their dedication and asks Albertans to help ease system pressures by staying home when sick, choosing the right care, and using primary, urgent or virtual care services for non-urgent needs.

Quick facts

  • As of Jan. 14, 675 patients are hospitalized, including in intensive care units, due to respiratory viruses, a decrease from the peak of 995 hospitalizations on Dec. 30.
  • Emergency inpatients have decreased by over 100 in the past week, dropping from 443 on Jan. 7 to 335 on Jan. 14.
  • Alberta’s emergency departments have seen a 10 percent growth in visits over recent years, as a more complex and aging population requires care.

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