June 2, 2021
EDMONTON - Alberta has extended an offer of critical care assistance to Manitoba as the province deals with its third wave.
Up to 10 patients requiring intensive care will come to Alberta, and be cared for in hospitals in Edmonton or Calgary. Alberta has sufficient ICU capacity at this time to ensure that all Albertans needing this level of care are also cared for.
“Alberta is proud to support our fellow Canadians during this time of need. 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,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health.
AHS teams are working with our Manitoban colleagues to determine when patient transfers will occur. Manitoba anticipates its third wave hospitalization peak next week, and have been working to ensure they have capacity for all patients needing critical care. Patients would come to Alberta for care as needed, and once stable, will go home to Manitoba to continue their recovery.
“Albertans will always be our priority. We are fortunate to have such strong critical care teams in Alberta to be able to assist and support during this unprecedented time. Our teams will do their best to care for Manitobans,” said Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO, Alberta Health Services.
“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. I am so grateful and appreciative of our teams, and I thank them for all their efforts.”
Throughout the pandemic, AHS has been able to closely monitor and manage hospitalization and ICU numbers, and respond to changes in patient demand.
There are currently 438 Alberta patients in hospital due to COVID-19 (down from a peak of approximately 729 three weeks ago), including 127 in ICU (down from a peak of 187 two weeks ago). The number of Albertans requiring intensive care has reduced over the past several weeks as Albertans continue to follow CMOH orders, and immunization rates increase.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
