COVID-19 ICU admissions force Sask. into health care 'red zone'
The rising tide of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care has pushed Saskatchewan into the red zone, which triggered out-of-province patient transfers and means the health-care system is severely challenged, according to a presentation to doctors Thursday night.
Presentation slides from the physician town hall – which are generally posted online the following day – show Saskatchewan has the highest number of COVID-19 ICU patients per capita compared to other provinces at any point during the pandemic.
The system is considered to be in the "red zone" when there are between 116 and 149 patients in intensive care; 149 patients and upwards is considered the "black zone."
A slide from the Saskatchewan Health Authority's physician town hall on Oct. 21 shows the province is now in the 'red zone.' (Source: SHA)
As of Friday, there are 117 patients receiving intensive care in Saskatchewan, including 80 COVID-19 patients and 37 non-COVID patients. The province usually has an ICU capacity of 79 beds outside of the pandemic.
Six COVID-19 patients have been transferred to Ontario and three more are expected to be transferred by Sunday. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said Friday transfers will pick up next week, where it’s anticipated two to four patients could be transferred each day.
Triage is widely applied in the red zone and there is an extensive slowdown of services, including cancellation of critical care surgeries, like open heart or neuro procedures, where a patient could need a bed in intensive care.
During a media briefing Friday, Derek Miller, emergency operations centre commander with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said the province is still in stage one of its triage plan and there are currently no plans to move to the next stage, though a committee is in place to monitor the situation.
ICU admissions are expected to continue increasing in the coming weeks. According to the presentation, care is deteriorating as the number of ICU patients approaches 125.
The slides show there are 57 patients outside the ICU on high-flow oxygen who have a high probability of needing ICU care or would normally be in the intensive care unit under different circumstances.
The health authority said Wednesday the province is currently at an “unsustainable” level in intensive care units because of the the high number of hospitalizations and the impact on other medical procedures.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.