'We're seeing people of all age groups': Lethbridge ER doctor raises concerns over fourth wave of COVID-19
From the outside looking in, Alberta's hospitals may not look busy, but that doesn't paint a clear picture of the exact situation when it comes to the strain on the province's healthcare system.
"I don't know if people really know what it looks like when the healthcare system is overwhelmed," said emergency room doctor at the Chinook Regional Hospital Dr. Sean Wilde.
"We may have a perception from movies or Hollywood that it looks like the hospital's on fire and there's people lined up in tents outside if our healthcare system is overwhelmed, it's going to look pretty normal from the outside."
Inside, it's a whole different story. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has now postponed certain scheduled surgeries in every health zone across the province.
Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge, Alta., Sept. 3, 2021
The North Zone is being hit particularly hard when it comes to surgery postponements with 60 per cent of surgeries expected to be pushed back.
In the South Zone, 30 per cent of scheduled surgeries, endoscopy, and outpatient visits are being delayed.
"What an overwhelmed healthcare system looks like is delayed surgeries, missed cancer treatments or diagnosis, it may mean delayed emergency care, and you might not be getting emergency care as quickly as you need to." Said Dr. Wilde.
The Chinook Regional Hospital is also seeing many patients being admitted who come from surrounding rural communities with low vaccination rates.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVE
The province is hopeful that those low rates will soon see a bump in vaccine uptake after Friday's announcement of a new monetary incentive.
"For the love of God, please get vaccinated now, and if you do, we will pay you $100," said Premier Jason Kenney.
"We are announcing that Alberta will be the first province to offer a personal monetary incentive to step up and do the right thing. Anyone who gets a first or second dose will now be eligible to receive a $100 gift card."
Dr. Wilde said he's still seeing many people in the region who have not gotten around the getting the jab.
"A lot of people who come and are unvaccinated are not necessarily against getting vaccinated, it simply hasn't been a priority for them for whatever reason," he said.
"We're seeing people of all age groups who are feeling quite unwell. Even those not needing to be admitted to hospital are surprised at how terrible they feel even though they are still at home."
Dr. Wilde added that hospitals aren't seeing the high numbers of sick elderly people needing medical assistance due to the large uptake of vaccines, but there are now more people between 20 to 40 years old being hospitalized.
With the number of active cases continuing to rise across the province, Dr. Wilde hopes more people will start to take the fourth wave more seriously.
"At this point, this virus is spreading enough that probably everyone is going to be exposed at some time in the next few months," he said.
"It's important to make a decision. Do you want to face it vaccinated or not vaccinated? And at least be aware that that's kind of what you're deciding right now."
Unvaccinated people make up more than 80 per cent of all hospitalizations since July first in the province, while the vast majority of vaccinated people needing medical care have been elderly, or have underlying health conditions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
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.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.