Alberta offers ICU space as third wave of COVID-19 hits Manitoba
Alberta Health Services has extended an offer to accept up to 10 intensive care patients from Manitoba to help ease the burden as that province nears the expected peak of its third wave of the pandemic.
AHS officials say Alberta currently has sufficient intensive care unit capacity to welcome additional patients into hospitals in Edmonton or Calgary.
"Alberta is proud to support our fellow Canadians during this time of need," said Health Minister Tyler Shandro in a statement issued Wednesday. "With our hospitalizations falling in line with the recent trend in cases, we have available capacity to help our neighbours.
"The staff and physicians in our hospitals and across our health system have worked hard to meet the needs of patients throughout the pandemic. I know they are tired, but I also know how deeply committed they are to caring for patients, and I know they will come through again."
Discussions are currently underway to formulate a timeline for the westward transfer of patients in need of critical care.
Once a patient's condition stabilizes, they will return to Manitoba to continue their recovery.
Dr. Verna Yiu, Alberta Health Services president and CEO, says Alberta is fortunate to have strong critical care teams and, while the care of Albertans is always a priority, the teams will do their best to care for the patients from Manitoba.
"We have a long tradition of working with our neighbours to share expertise, resources and learnings, and we stand alongside Manitoba as they deal with this pandemic and its impact on patient care," said Yiu. "I am so grateful and appreciative of our teams, and I thank them for all their efforts."
Manitoba's third wave is expected to reach its crescendo next week.
As of Wednesday, 438 patients are currently in Alberta hospitals as a result of COVID-19 including 127 in intensive care.
There were 187 COVID-19 patients in Alberta ICUs in mid-May, the most the province had seen during the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.