by: lisa johnson
up to eight critical care nurses from the canadian armed forces are expected to be in alberta hospitals by monday to help deal with the fourth wave of covid-19.
federal public safety minister bill blair confirmed in a news release saturday the additional medical personnel are expected be ready to help provide care for covid-19 patients.
“we are always ready to help canadians across the country during difficult times, and this pandemic has been no different. the canadian armed forces, canadian red cross, and health professionals have stepped up time and again over the past 19 months to answer the call to protect people, and i want to thank all those on the front lines who continue to keep canadians safe,” blair said in the release.
the canadian red cross is planning to provide up to 20 medical professionals, some with icu experience, to help or relieve staff working in hospitals in the province, and is finalizing its plan with alberta health services to send its personnel where they are needed.
the federal aid comes as ballooning covid-19 case numbers continue to stretch the province’s health care system.
on friday, alberta reported 1,630 new covid-19 cases, and 1,066 in hospital due to covid-19, including 263 patients in intensive care. provincial icu capacity was at 84 per cent but without added surge capacity that number would be 183 per cent.