Saskatoon hospitals grapple with bed shortages as COVID-19 numbers rise
As the Omicron COVID-19 surge gains momentum in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon's hospitals are facing a bed crunch.
In a note to city physicians, Saskatoon Health Authority chief of staff Dr. Grant Stoneham called the current situation "very concerning."
"We have been asked to remind all physicians to please re-evaluate all currently admitted patients and discharge those who are ready to go home as to free up in-hospital beds," Stoneham wrote in the memo sent on Sunday.
"I imagine that you all do this on a daily basis, but we were asked to encourage a reassessment of bed status where possible."
A screen capture of the note was shared on Twitter Monday morning by NDP MLA Vicki Mowatt.
According to Stoneham's memo, on Sunday there were 19 admissions pending at St. Paul's Hospital and 20 at Royal University Hospital.
There were no beds available at either hospital at the time of Stoneham's message.
On Sunday there were 80 Saskatoon-area COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to the provincial government.
That's up from 53 a week prior on Jan. 9 and 31 admissions two weeks ago on Jan 2.
In an emailed statement, the Ministry of Health said Stoneham's memo was part of "a regular process" that occurs when hospital "capacity is challenged."
There were 3,329 active COVID-19 cases reported in the Saskatoon area on Sunday.
However, as the province has shifted to rapid, at-home testing as the primary method to detect coronavirus cases, many cases go unreported.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.