Source: CTV
Up to three medical teams from the Canadian Armed Forces will be dispatched to Ontario to assist hospitals that have been overrun by COVID-19. The announcement was made by the federal government in a statement released on Monday evening. Sylvia Jones, the Solicitor General of Ontario, has requested specialized nurses and other medical personnel to assist in intensive care. Newfoundland announced on Monday that nine healthcare workers, including the premier’s wife, would be dispatched to assist with the overwhelming number of patients.
Only 10 days ago, Jones stated that Ontario’s “only request” to the federal government was a “consistent supply of vaccines.” “We are always ready to assist provinces and territories across Canada in their fight against COVID-19,” says an official. The Canadian Red Cross will also be redeployed to supplement or relieve staff in medical care facilities, according to a separate announcement made by the government on Monday.
The announcement comes just hours after Jones revealed that the Ontario government has been working to “identify health human resources” that could be sent to the province. COVID-19-related hospitalizations continue to rise in Ontario. The disease is affecting 2,271 people currently. 877 of these patients are in intensive care units.
