Are Quebec hospitals ready for another pandemic? Looking back at COVID-19, five years later – CTV
February 27, 2025
On this day, five years ago, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Quebec.
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital was one of Montreal’s dedicated COVID-19 centres, with outbreaks overwhelming its facilities, cancelling surgeries and exacerbating staff shortages.
Looking back, the head of its ICU says the pandemic highlighted how critical it is for hospitals to be fully staffed at all times.
“There were a lot of patients, not enough people to take care of them,” says Critical Care Chief Dr. Francois Marquis.
At least six of the 26 ICU beds at the hospital were closed in mid-February as there weren’t enough nurses to open them around the clock.
Shortages were also a problem during the pandemic.
Marquis says the lack of space and staff puts the province at a disadvantage, but the experience has prepared hospitals for the future.
