During the Christmas season in Montreal, there is an utter crisis of availability of beds as the seasonal flu hits the holiday season with an even-higher number of patients. There is also the threat from Gastroenteritis pandemic though the situation could have been even worse.

At advent of the holiday season, measures are taken from every aspect every year with establishments to reduce the number of beds as little as possible. In fact, for the last three years, there is a consistent effort from the authorities to keep beds available for the patients.

According to Mr. Louise Massicotte, the Health and Social Services Deputy Director, "a tsunami of measures have been taken to keep beds open." However, he also said that due to a steady 15% increase in the demand, the service seems to be inadequate and gives an impression that there were no measures taken to meet the demand.

The Quebec's Health and Social Services Department is appealing to everyone to go for a free vaccination to prevent the spread of the disease. Free vaccines are provided for people above 60 years of age, infants between 6 months and 23 months, anyone from 2-59 years suffering from any chronic disease, health-care workers, and pregnant women.

The reason for the rush is also due to many doctors taking vacations during the holidays. Montreal's Health Agency has alerted that the emergency rooms at the Lakeshore, Royal Victoria, Montreal General, and the Santa Cabrini are in need of help. To face the situation, the public health officials have urged people to consider the patient's condition before coming to the hospital.