Eastern Health has dedicated a number of appointments at the Mundy Pond community walk-in clinic specifically for children.

The move is in response to a spike in the number of children showing up at the Janeway ER with a variety of respiratory illnesses.

Before the flu season started, the Janeway ER saw an average of 55 patients per day; that number has jumped to about 160 per day.

The health authority says parents are encouraged to bring children with mild respiratory illness to the walk-in clinic on Mundy Pond Road rather than the Janeway ER. Children needing a higher level of care or monitoring will be referred to the Janeway.

The walk-in clinic is open to patients from 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Parents are encouraged to show up any time after 8:30 to avoid potential line-ups before the clinic opens.