Elective surgeries cancelled in Calgary, Fort Macleod emergency room closed as COVID-19 surge continues
Alberta Health Services announced late Wednesday afternoon that it's cancelling elective surgeries and many other outpatient procedures for the rest of the week at its Calgary hospitals.
The action comes as a result of a need to reassign staff due to ever more crowded ICUs due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Alberta.
"This move will allow AHS to deploy qualified staff to support intensive care and critical care beds within the (Calgary) Zone," said AHS spokesperson James Wood in an email to CTV.
"Today, there are 95 ICU beds operating in Calgary," he added, "which is 29 more than our usual total of ICU beds (66)."
Impacted patients will be contacted and their procedures rescheduled to a later date.
"AHS will continue with all urgent and emergent procedures, as well as prioritized cancer surgeries," the statement added.
The announcement came hours after a tweet from AHS South Zone announcing that due to a physician shortage, the Fort MacLeod Medical Centre Emergency Department will be temporarily closed from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday.
AHS said a small number of non-prioritized surgeries will be cancelled. The department said it's working closely with oncologists and cancer teams to evaluate every patient's unique situation.
Decisions on other surgery postponements will be made in the coming weeks as the situation evolves.
"As we said last week, this situation is serious," the AHS statement continued, "and we would like to remind all Albertans that we need their help in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in the community, which in turn will reduce strain on the healthcare system."
AHS said 89 per cent of the 147 patients in the ICU are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.