Christchurch Hospital has had to cancel planned surgeries to cope with high demand

Yesterday 527 patients were at the hospital - with more than 100 under assessment and treatment in the emergency department

33 adults and 13 children were diagnosed with RSV

Chief Medical Officer Dr Helen Skinner says, while they usually see a lot of people on Mondays, - the ED was extremely busy and combined with staff sickness the surge meant longer waits for care.

She says non-urgent cases should call their GP or Afterhours first.