Sask. expecting ICU patient transfers to increase over the next few weeks
More Saskatchewan intensive care patients are expected to be transferred to Ontario in the coming weeks, according to provincial officials.
Marlo Pritchard, the president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), said transfers are expected to occur daily.
“We are anticipating that the number of transfers will increase early next week to roughly two to four patients per day for the next several weeks to further reduce the strain on the health care system,” Pritchard said, during a media briefing Friday.
These new transfers are in addition to the six patients that have already travelled for care in Ontario. Three more people are scheduled to be taken to Ontario over the weekend.
Derek Miller, emergency operations centre commander with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said the focus is on COVID-19 ICU patients being transferred out of province, not general ICU patients.
The announcement comes a day after social media posts from doctors sparked confusion about whether the transfers would continue.
The Saskatchewan government released a statement Thursday morning saying the social media posts about ICU patient transfers should be “disregarded.”
Pritchard said all confirmed transfers will be communicated through official channels such as the PEOC or the government’s website, during the briefing on Friday.
A release from the province Friday afternoon said Saskatchewan’s Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has confirmed Ontario is able to receive up to nine more patients early next week – up to three per day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.