Sask. transfers 3 more patients to Ont. on Monday
Saskatchewan is in the process of transferring three more COVID-19 patients to Ontario for treatment, according to the latest update from the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
As of Monday afternoon, nine patients have been successfully transferred. By the end of the day, there will be a total of 12 Saskatchewan COVID-19 patients being treated in Ontario.
According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), up to four more patients may be transferred on Tuesday.
“These transfers are being done to further reduce the strain on the health-care system,” Marlo Pritchard, SPSA president said, “Once again we are grateful to the province of Ontario.”
Pritchard says he can only confirm the number of patient transfers two days in advance due to planning variables. However, the province is looking at transferring between two and four additional patients in the coming days.
Pritchard says he can only confirm the number of patient transfers two days in advance due to planning variables. However, the province is looking at transferring between two and four additional patients in the coming days.
The Canadian Armed Forces six critical care nursing officers will arrive in Regina on Wednesday.
The military also says it will provide medical air transport for in-province and out-of-province critical care patient transfers, as capacity allows, and may also supply a pair of Multipurpose Medical Assistance Teams to backfill the province's nurses.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority says the six ICU nurses won’t be enough to open more beds or restart the services that are currently scaled back
“What it will help with is alleviate our highly trained skilled nurses in Regina with respect to backstops and coverage for our teams to get rested,” Scott Livingstone, SHA CEO said.
The SHA is fast-tracking the training of dozens of junior critical care nurses over the next few months, with 27 students set to graduate on Nov. 1. The junior nurses must be paired with other critical care nurses, according to Livingstone.
The health authority’s standard of care is typically a one nurse to one patient ratio. However, given the current strain on resources, Livingstone says that is not the case in Saskatchewan ICUs.
“There is lots of doubling of patients and lots of nurses taking care of two patients in separate rooms as well,” Livingstone said.
The province is also waiting to hear back on a request for 20 nurses from the Canadian Red Cross.
“All of this is relieving some of the pressure,” said Premier Scott Moe.
“Ultimately as we move forward, it’s the public health measures and the increase in vaccination rates that are going to relieve that pressure on a longer term basis.”
As of Monday, 85 per cent of eligible Saskatchewan residents had received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to SHA data. Of eligible residents, 77 per cent were fully vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pharmacare bill passes in the House of Commons, heads to the Senate
The Liberals' pharmacare bill is headed to the Senate after passing third reading in the House of Commons.
MPs 'wittingly' took part in foreign interference: national security committee
Some MPs began 'wittingly assisting' foreign state actors soon after their election, says a report released Monday, including sending confidential information to Indian officials.
More Canadians are moving to the U.S. Here's one of the main reasons, according to an immigration expert
Recent data from the U.S. census revealed that more than 126,000 people moved from Canada to the U.S. in 2022. An expert said that one of the main reasons for this move is the cost of living.
Bus carrying Quebec tourists crashes in Cuba, leaving 1 dead and 26 injured
One person is dead and 26 were injured after a bus carrying Quebec tourists was involved in a collision in Cuba on Sunday.
Her gut was producing alcohol. Doctors didn't believe her
For two years doctors told her she was an alcoholic. Then they realized her gut was making alcohol from carbohydrates, a rare condition called auto-brewery syndrome.
Here's how far B.C. drivers must keep from cyclists, pedestrians under new law
A new law protecting cyclists and pedestrians in British Columbia takes effect Monday, establishing minimum distances that drivers must keep from so-called vulnerable road users.
Forest bathing: What it is and why some Alberta doctors recommend it
Many people are familiar with the benefits of being in nature, but forest therapy goes a step further than a simple walk in the woods.
Poilievre disagrees with Conservative MP who opposes same-sex marriage, vows to uphold
Facing scrutiny over comments one of his MPs made, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says if he become prime minister, he will uphold same sex marriage rights, 'full stop.'
Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.