Alberta patients may be transferred to Ontario as hospitals bear down under COVID-19’s 4th wave – CBC

Out-of-province transfers would be last resort, says AHS president Dr. Verna Yiu

Sep 16, 2021

Alberta hospitals are being told to find non-intensive care beds that can be used for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.

As a last resort, some patients may even be transferred to Ontario, said Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), on Thursday.

“I cannot stress enough how serious the situation is in our hospitals,” Yiu told a news conference.

“Ontario has graciously offered their help and we are in discussions with them regarding potential transfer of patients if needed,” Yiu said.

There are 896 patients in hospital across the province with COVID-19, including 222 in intensive care.

In the last week, the total number of patients in intensive care has increased by 16 per cent, Yiu said. Every day, 18 to 20 COVID-19 patients are being admitted to ICU, she added.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/covid-alberta-deena-hinshaw-verna-yiu-1.6178262