Additional supports announced to alleviate strain on province’s health care system
With Alberta hospitals under extreme stress during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier Jason Kenney says health care workers from the Canadian Military, Canadian Red Cross, and province of Newfoundland are being brought in to help.
Speaking during an update Thursday, Kenney says plans are being finalized with the Armed Forces to provide 8-10 trained ICU medical personnel. The military staff will likely be based at CFB Edmonton and will support hospitals in that city where the need is greatest.
The province is also working with the Red Cross to bring up to 20 trained staff, some with ICU training, to help out at Red Deer Regional Hospital which Kenney says is under severe stress due to low vaccination rates in rural central Alberta.
Newfoundland will be sending a medical team that will be deployed to work in Fort McMurray. “I know Alberta health care workers will be grateful for the helping hand and that all Albertans are thankful for any assistance at this challenging time,” said Kenney.