Sask. in talks with Ontario about potential ICU transfers: SPSA
Saskatchewan is in talks with the Government of Ontario over the potential need to send intensive care patients to other provinces, according to a COVID-19 briefing from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).
The SPSA said they appreciates Ontario’s willingness to engage, but they hope they don’t have to use them.
The province has not reached the threshold for transferring patients to other health authorities.
As of Tuesday, the province is only a few ICU patients away from having to activate triage protocol - which means doctors in the province would have to decide who can and cannot be admitted to ICU for care.
“It fluctuates on a day to day basis and the last thing the ICU teams across this province want to see is patients having to leave the province to receive care, but at the same time we want every Saskatchewan resident to receive the very, very best care they can,” said Scott Livingstone, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, during a teleconference on Wednesday.
Saskatchewan Health Authority data shows there were 114 people in ICUs across the province - 79 of those patients had COVID-19. The province was just two patients away from having to activate its "red zone," which is triggered when there are 116 people in intensive care.
The “red zone” would force hospitals to make triage decisions with patients.
Some measures have already been put in place to build capacity in hospitals, like major slowdowns of services elective surgeries, moving patients to smaller centres and redeploying staff to the ICU.
Dr. Alexander Wong, an infectious disease specialist, said a major issue is not having enough ICU nurses to keep up with the number of patients in care.
Wong and the SPSA warned a sudden influx in the ICUs in Regina or Saskatoon, or a major accident with multiple traumas could push the health care system over the edge.
“We’re right up to our chins at this point and I don’t think that things are going to turn around, at least in our hospitals, for another two or three weeks so what the future holds, it’s pretty scary,” said Wong in a Zoom interview with CTV News.
NDP leader Ryan Meili said the province never should have got in to this situation and called on either the premier or the health minister to make the call.
“We should be taking every bit of care that we can get, [Scott Moe] said we need to exhaust the local resources before we ask for help anywhere else, the local resources are exhausted, the front line health care providers are exhausted. They need this help and they need it now,” said Meili.
The province has not yet asked the federal government for help.
MILLIONS OF RAPID TESTS ARRIVE
Nearly 2 million rapid antigen tests have arrived in the province, with 1 million of those going toward the province’s Test to Protect program.
The program will supply rapid tests to schools, long-term care homes, medical centres, correctional centres and shelters.
The rest of the kits will be available to the general public through places like SHA testing centres
The kits are for asymptomatic people. Those with symptoms are asked to use SHA testing sites.
Isolation centres in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert are also re-opening for those who cannot or will not self-isolate.
With files from the Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.