The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is postponing some surgeries as high influenza rates continues to create an increased need for beds.

The WRHA says elective surgeries at its facilities this week will be postponed; emergency, cancer, and day surgeries will continue as planned.

Dr. Bruce Roe, vice-president and chief medical officer at the WRHA, says a particularly tough flu season has resulted in very busy emergency departments and an increased demand for in-patient beds.

It's estimated approximately 80 surgeries will be affected.

To deal with the high demands of this year's flu season, the health region has upped the number of temporary beds available in hospitals. The WRHA says its also maximizing the number of patients appropriate to transfer to long-term care facilities, and is using the full scope of its home care resources.