Too little, too late: Alberta doctors react to new COVID-19 measures, call for more to stop it
Alberta doctors are imploring the province to take the pandemic more seriously in the wake of new restrictions and are calling out Premier Kenney for his claims that the COVID-19 virus was "not predictable."
“This false,” said family physician Dr. David Keegan who is part of a group of physicians, scientists and advocates known as Protect Our Province Alberta.
“Scientists projected the exact scenario that we are in right now and the government ignored them.”
Keegan made the remarks during an emergency update meeting held Wednesday evening following the province’s announcement of new restrictions that include an option for businesses to restrict their clientele to Albertans who are fully vaccinated.
Many experts on the panel say the information is a lot to take in and that the province should have known better and trusted their forecasting of the virus.
“Jason Kenney has demonstrated himself to be a skilled contortionist, bending himself virtually into a pretzel in order to appease a small fringe but vocal group of individuals who are opposed to vaccination,” said Edmonton infectious disease physician, Dr. Ilan Schwartz.
“As a result, we’re left with a hodgepodge of measures that are confusing, and consequently, they're likely ineffectual.”
Kenney implemented a restriction exemption program, otherwise known as a vaccine passport system, which would allow businesses to operate as normal.
He went on to say that this is a "crisis of the unvaccinated"’ but some infectious disease experts like Dr. Gosia Gasperowicz believe a vaccine passport system won’t work on its own to increase vaccination efforts.
“It absolutely must be accompanied by a widespread, wide reaching vaccine campaign to address the enormous equity issues around vaccination,” she said.
“We need outreach teams deployed to areas with low vaccination rates and high mistrust of the vaccine, and we need experts working with trusted community leaders in those areas.”
Gasperowitcz worries that the additional measures might not be strong enough to bend the curve immediately.
Dr. Neeja Bakshi, a frontline COVID-19 physician, added that the public health measures are likely not enough and will soon force doctors into implementing triage care, which means tough decisions need to be made on who gets treatment first.
“Our health care system is in dire straits. We are in positions that none of us have ever been in before.”
Meanwhile, some physicians are now imploring Albertans to do their part and change their behaviour in an effort to save lives.
“We're going to need Albertans to help us, so we can help them,” said ER doctor Paul Parks.
“If Albertans don't pitch in and if they don't work together and continue good behaviors or change their behaviours, then thousands of Albertans are going to needlessly suffer and many will die.”
Alberta reported 1,609 new COVID-19 cases, 24 deaths and 877 hospitalizations on Wednesday.
DAYS AWAY FROM FULL ICU CAPACITY
New modelling data obtained from the Alberta NDP from several doctors suggests that Alberta could see a full ICU capacity within the next few days.
This chart, obtained by CTV News through the Opposition Thursday morning, suggests that Alberta’s 327 ICU beds are likely to hit full capacity by Sept. 27, but that is only assuming current non-COVID patient numbers stay flat.
(Supplied/AHS)
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley will be speaking further on this issue Thursday at a 1:30 p.m. press conference outside the Rocky View General Hospital.
In the meantime, Kenney admits that Alberta could be just 10 days away from reaching full capacity for intensive care beds across the province.
As of Tuesday, there were 270 patients in intensive care, marking the highest number of ICU patients the province has ever seen according to Alberta Health Services CEO, Verna Yiu.
“We are facing our greatest challenges as a provincial healthcare organization at a time when most of us had hopes that this pandemic would be close to over,” she said.
This means Alberta is now looking outside of the province for ICU beds and additional staff.
CTV News has reached out to the health ministries of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba to see if those provinces have ICU capacity to spare.
Ontario’s Ministry of Health has provided the following statement to CTV News, but couldn’t elaborate on further details at this time.
“Our officials are currently looking into what support we might be able to offer Alberta.”
At this time, AHS is preparing to implement triage protocols as a last resort.
It has been described by Yiu as a planned and predetermined province-wide approach to guide the response should demand for care surpass medical resources that are available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
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.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.