The Vitalité Health Network issued a statement on Saturday which warned of a critical slowdown in the emergency departments at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital this weekend.

The health authority noted a critical shortage of nursing staff at the Stella-Maris-de-Kent and a high traffic rate at the Dumont will mean emergency services at both hospitals will operate at very reduced capacity until the end of the day on Monday, December 5.

However, Vitalité said the emergency departments remain open and patients with the most critical needs will be prioritized while other patients can expect longer than usual wait times.

For non-urgent care, other options to consider include making an appointment with a family doctor or nurse practitioner, consulting a pharmacist, going to a walk-in clinic, TeleCare (811) or www.evisitnb.ca.