Hospitals in the Windsor-Essex region are grappling with a significant influx of patients, leading to extended wait times in emergency departments as influenza activity reaches its seasonal peak.
Hospitals Issue Warning Amid Patient Surge
Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare have issued a joint statement alerting the public to expect longer than usual delays for emergency care. The surge is attributed to a higher-than-normal volume of patients, including many seeking treatment for non-life-threatening conditions.
The care provided by our teams is based on medical urgency, not arrival time, the hospitals emphasized in their statement posted on social media.
Quantifying the Wait: Hours, Not Minutes
Specific data from Monday, January 5, 2026, illustrates the strain on the system. At Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, the average wait for an initial doctor's assessment was approximately two hours, with the longest reported wait stretching to four hours and twenty-one minutes.
At Windsor Regional Hospital, a spokesperson provided figures showing an average wait of about 4.8 hours for a first assessment for non-emergencies. The average total length of stay in the ER was around 11.4 hours.
Steve Erwin, Windsor Regional's Director of Public Affairs and Communications, clarified that waits can vary significantly based on patient acuity and overall department volume. He also noted the hospital's online wait-time tracker was taken offline the previous week due to a technical issue, with no immediate timeline for its return.
Public Health Context and Recommendations
The hospital crunch coincides with a confirmed surge in local influenza cases reported by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in December 2025. Health officials noted a more severe strain in circulation, mirroring trends across Ontario. A Windsor Regional Hospital infection control director had previously warned that cases typically spike around the first two weeks of January.
In response, hospital officials are strongly urging residents with less serious health concerns to consider alternative options to relieve pressure on emergency departments. They recommend:
- Calling Health811 for 24/7 access to a registered nurse who can provide advice on symptoms and next steps.
- Contacting their family doctor or nurse practitioner.
- Visiting a walk-in clinic or an urgent care centre.
- Consulting a pharmacist for advice and treatment for many common ailments.
The situation underscores the seasonal pressure on healthcare systems and highlights the importance of using appropriate care pathways to ensure emergency resources are available for the most critical cases.
