Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Belted Wyoming Cargo Short Buy Now
Rimless Rectangle Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
Soft Cotton Muslim Jersey Hijab Buy Now
Silk Satin Floral Shirt Buy Now
Skechers Gowalk Arch Fit Idyllic Buy Now
Water Sports Shoes for Men and Women Buy Now
Bronax Pillow Slippers Buy Now
Sunglasses Polarized UV Protection Buy Now
Womens Satin Pajama Set Buy Now
Stanley The IceFlow Buy Now
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 Laptop Buy Now
Women's Satin Pajama Set Buy Now
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Charcoal Buy Now
Motorized Rotating Display Stand for Jewelry Buy Now
LUENX Men's Polarized Aviators Buy Now
Women's Trendy Summer Cap Sleeve Tees Buy Now
Women's Hijab Buy Now
Turtleneck Long Sleeve Cable Knit Sweaters Buy Now
Chiffon Rhinestone Hijab Buy Now
Hoowel Smart Watch for Men and Women Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
ERs are 'stretched to the limit' in N.S. thanks to Omicron at Christmas

ERs are 'stretched to the limit' in N.S. thanks to Omicron at Christmas

CBC
Saturday, January 8, 2022 11:01 AM GMT

The aggressive Omicron variant that has led to a record number of COVID-19 infections in Nova Scotia is stretching already-strained emergency rooms to their limit, according to a Halifax physician on the front line.

Dr. Kirk Magee, who oversees emergency care at Halifax-area hospitals, said although the Omicron variant might not be sending more people to hospital, it is having a serious effect on the health-care system — starting with the emergency room.

"The emergency department is like a glass of red wine on a white table, linen cloth," he said. "And when you're close to the brim, even one more drop makes a terrible mess — and we really are close to the brim."

The province announced one death and 678 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. It said 48 people were in hospital, including seven in the ICU.

Magee said the system is being "stretched to its limits" because of the fast-spreading virus — not because of the number of people needing hospital care, but because of the hundreds of hospital staff that have been reallocated or sidelined due to COVID-19 infection or the need to isolate.

On Friday, more than 430 staff members were not available for work in the central zone, said Magee. That number does not include the 162 health-care workers who are off the job across the province because they did not provide proof of vaccination.

"Emergency medicine is very cyclical," said Magee, adding that emergency departments typically become especially strained around the holidays.

This year is different, he said. 

"We have a health-care system that was already fairly tenuous.... Then we added on two years of COVID and then suddenly Omicron came along and that's really put things off the rails."

According to figures provided by the provincial health authority, nearly every acute care and intensive care unit bed in Nova Scotia that is currently staffed was occupied this past week. 

Dr. Nicole Boutilier, vice-president of medicine for Nova Scotia Health, said there were 94 people waiting for admissions on Friday, but that figure was as high as 125 earlier this week.

There were 2,100 more emergency department visits across the province in December 2021 compared to December 2020, something Boutilier said reflects pressures that go beyond the current outbreak.

People will experience waits in emergency departments, but Boutilier said people who need services should keep coming and will be seen and assessed.

Other non-emergency units are closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, said Magee.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us