Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores Healthcare ask the public wherever possible to seek care from walk-in clinics or their family doctor.
The hospitals are still battling capacity pressures, and by avoiding the emergency department in all but emergencies, they hope to alleviate strain on the local healthcare system.
Ambulances are also experiencing longer than usual response times in non-emergency situations.
A list of emergency department alternatives can be found here. The Essex-Windsor EMS has also put together some information about when to call for an ambulance.
Patients going to the emergency department should expect longer than usual wait times.
