SURREY, B.C. — Surrey Memorial Hospital is experiencing one of its highest patient volumes ever, as well as multiple infections across the busy facility.
A Fraser Health Authority spokesman says a memo was sent to staff informing them that the hospital is experiencing "unprecedented" crowding.
Ken Donohue says patient levels have been rising over the past week due in large part to a high number of flu cases in the community.
He says there is one outbreak of C. difficile, meaning there are three or more cases and the hospital is taking extra steps to stop the infection from spreading.
There are also infections of influenza, CPE bacteria and respiratory conditions, but Donohue says they are not being declared outbreaks.
He says the emergency room has a triage system ensuring that those with serious illness and injury are seen first, and that patient levels have already fallen over the past 24 hours.
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