Sask. NDP calls on province to ask military for help in 4th wave of COVID-19
The Saskatchewan NDP says it’s time for the province to consider asking the Canadian military for help as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise.
There are 265 COVID-19 patients in hospital as of Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive day the province has broke its hospitalization record.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon has started accepting adult patients under the age of 40 to try and manage provincial ICU capacity.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 78 of the province’s 101 ICU beds were full and two adult COVID-19 patients were in the PICU.
The call comes as Alberta begins working with the federal government on plans to use military resources to transfer COVID-19 patients out of province, if necessary.
The NDP said troops can assist in a number of ways, like contact tracing, testing and on the frontlines.
“It can be providing medical support, ICU support for medical nurses but it can also be logistical support to put troops on the ground to just have extra bodies,” said Vicki Mowat, NDP health critic.
The province said it is in regular contact with the federal government about the pandemic response. And while it has asked for additional rapid test kits, there have been no other requests for federal support.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.