Doctors in FIFA World Cup cities warn ER capacity may be strained

Doctors in Toronto and Vancouver warn emergency departments already near or above capacity could be strained by a sudden surge during the FIFA World Cup, and Public Health Ontario has flagged measles, food‑borne illness and COVID‑19 as moderate risks.

Doctors in Toronto and Vancouver have raised concerns that local emergency departments could be overwhelmed if an unexpected surge occurs during the FIFA World Cup in June. Physicians report hospitals are often operating at or above 100 percent capacity and that bed shortages already affect care on some shifts. Public Health Ontario published a risk assessment noting measles, food‑borne illness and COVID‑19 as moderate risks and recommended monitoring and planning. Both cities have wastewater surveillance systems in place and officials plan to reassess risks closer to the tournament. Known details: - Emergency physicians reported hospitals running at or above 100 percent capacity and cited limited available hospital and ICU beds. - Public Health Ontario ranked measles, food‑borne illness and COVID‑19 as moderate health risks and advised monitoring epidemiological trends and planning for surge capacity. - Toronto and Vancouver have wastewater surveillance systems to help detect outbreaks during and after the games. - Physicians noted declining measles vaccination rates and past post‑event outbreaks as factors that increase vulnerability. Summary: Doctors say the combination of high baseline hospital occupancy and the possibility of unexpected patient surges could strain emergency and critical care capacity during the World Cup. Health authorities have recommended monitoring trends, planning for surge capacity, and re‑evaluating risks closer to the tournament.