Ontario officials working to help Alberta's stricken health-care system battle COVID-19 surge
CBC
Ontario officials are "having conversations right now" to determine what support the province can provide to help Alberta's crippled health-care system as it battles its deadly fourth wave of COVID-19.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott confirmed Ontario would be providing assistance to Alberta during a news conference on Friday, saying, "We will be there to support them and help them."
"Our officials are having conversations right now to understand exactly what they need," Elliott said.
"This is a truly cross-Canadian effort. There was a time when Ontario needed some help as well and other provinces helped us, and we will certainly do the same to help Alberta."
As of Thursday, there were 896 patients in hospital across Alberta with COVID-19, including 222 in intensive care.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney warned Wednesday, as he announced new restrictions amid the province's surging COVID-19 numbers, that the acute-care system could run out of staff and critical-care beds within 10 days.
Elliott said she expected Ontario's assistance to go towards alleviating pressure on the "very full" intensive care units.
