Sask. health authority outlines ICU capacity concerns as province continues to reach pandemic-high hospitalizations
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is bracing the system for record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations as this number of patients needing intensive and acute care are expected to increase in the coming weeks.
Dr. Susan Shaw, chief medical officer for the SHA, said there are now enough COVID-19 inpatients to fill both hospitals in Swift Current and Prince Albert.
Hospitalizations hit 273 on Thursday, marking the fifth day in a row the province hit a new record. The SHA said 60 of those patients are in the ICU as of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, another pandemic high. There are 24 non-COVID ICU patients, bringing the ICU total to 84 – which exceeds the province’s baseline capacity of 79 ICU beds. The SHA has added 24 surge beds to take ICU capacity to 103.
As hospitalizations continue to increase, the SHA said the demand is beginning to shift from the Saskatoon area and the north to Regina and rural areas, where active cases are slowly beginning to trend upwards.
The health authority has activated its surge capacity plans and is preparing to care for 125 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and 350 COVID-19 patients in acute care in the coming weeks
Derek Miller, emergency operations centre commander for the SHA, said the health authority has added 36 adult medicine beds in Saskatoon and 22 beds in Regina in addition to the ICU surge beds.
Aside from beds for critically ill patients, Dr. Shaw said there is another resource that has limits: health-care workers.
“We will continue to try and expand our ICU as best we can. But the finite resource are skilled health-care personnel who work in the team that provides care to the ICU patients,” said Dr. Shaw.
The health authority continues to prepare for the surge to come. Miller estimates most of the cases currently in hospital were identified 10 to 14 days ago. Infections have increased since then, with over 6,000 new cases confirmed in the last two weeks.
Miller said the SHA will do its best to meet the increasing demand, but people also need to do their part to bend the curve.
“No one can predict for sure what will come longer term because this is all completely dependent on the behavior of Saskatchewan residents,” said Miller.
“That’s why I urge everyone to follow the new public health orders, wear your mask, and most of all, if you are eligible, please get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.