wivb.com
Rob Petree
January 8, 2026
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County health officials are sounding the alarm over the current surge in flu cases across Western New York. They’re urging anyone who can to reserve emergency room visits for true medical emergencies only.
WIVB News 4 spoke with the medical directors and attending physicians of Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), DeGraff Memorial Hospital, and Kenmore Mercy Hospital. All of them continue to deal with a spike in patients suffering from severe respiratory symptoms.
The surge in cases led the Erie County Health Department to issue an advisory Thursday morning urging anyone who can to avoid going to the ER or taking an ambulance unless it’s truly necessary.
This comes as officials report ER volumes have remained consistently high for several weeks now, according to county health officials, who report that patients are experiencing longer-than-usual wait times to be triaged and seen as a result.
“I’ve been practicing emergency medicine for 25 years, and this is the worst number of flu cases, positives, hospitalizations, in my entire career,” explained Dr. Samuel Cloud, chief medical officer for ECMC.
Cloud isn’t alone in that opinion. Dr. Michael Mangione, the ER medical director at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, agrees. He told News 4 that their system is being stressed over the influx of patients.
“We’re trying to do the best that we can, seeing everyone that comes through the doors, but it’s definitely stressing our system,” Mangione said. “We’re lacking bed capacity. Staff is working very hard, but it’s becoming very challenging taking care of this influx of patients.”
News 4 stepped inside the emergency department of DeGraff Memorial Hospital to speak with their medical director, Dr. Joshua Lynch, who said they also continue to deal with longer than normal wait times, but overall they’re managing well.
“Everywhere has had longer than usual emergency department wait times,” Lynch said. “We have had waiting times increase here as well, but as I mentioned we’re able to process patients very efficiently here.”
When it comes to symptoms, Cloud explained which ones could require a visit to the ER.
“If you’re starting to feel very short of breath, if you’re having very, very high fevers, above 103 as an adult,” Cloud said. “If you’re feeling extremely weak or lethargic then you absolutely should come to the emergency department if you think you have influenza.”
A primary care provider or urgent care clinic can manage most common illnesses, such as influenza, common colds, sore throats, earaches, minor headaches, low-grade fevers and more.
“Most people with influenza, a stomach bug (norovirus) or the common cold have self-limiting symptoms, which means that after a few days or a week of feeling miserable, and plenty of rest and fluids, symptoms end,” said Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “There is a fine balance here: we do not want people to second guess calling 911 or going to the hospital. However, going to the ED with a minor cough or runny nose is a slower, less efficient and more expensive way to manage those symptoms. For non-urgent health concerns, ED waiting times are very long right now and you might catch another illness in the waiting room.”
Western New Yorkers are encouraged to consider alternatives for non-urgent medical needs, such as:
- Urgent care centers for minor injuries, mild respiratory symptoms and other non-life-threatening conditions.
- Primary care providers for routine care and follow-up. Some doctors and pediatricians offer acute care and walk-ins for sick care, especially pediatricians.
- Telehealth services for consultations that do not require in-person evaluation. These services can generally provide appropriate prescriptions, directions for over-the-counter medications and other recommendations for pain and symptom relief.
“Really, the emergency department should be reserved for people that are very sick,” Lynch emphasized. “Most cases of upper respiratory infections and even most cases of influenza can be managed at home.”
If you do not have a primary care provider, urgent care facilities and walk-in clinics can provide medical care. Contact your health insurance company for urgent care locations or telehealth services covered by your plan.
For assistance with health insurance access, call 2-1-1 and ask for an insurance enroller.