Critically ill Manitoba COVID-19 patients in multiple southwestern Ontario ICUs
Just this week hospitals in London, St. Thomas and Sarnia have accepted critically ill COVID-19 patients.
All are arriving on medical flights, and as CTV News London witnessed on Thursday evening, patients are ventilated.
The landing at London International Airport is just one example of 37 Manitoba COVID-19 patients who have arrived at Ontario hospitals for critical care.
That’s on top of 207 patients in Manitoba health care facilities.
On Friday, Manitoba’s deputy chief provincial public health officer, Jazz Atwal, encouraged residents to do their part to ease the pressure on the health care system.
In the interim, hospitals, including London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) are stepping up.
“In total, we’ve taken six patients from Manitoba over the last couple of weeks,” states Carol Young-Ritchie, LHSC’s chief clinical officer and chief nursing executive.
She tells CTV News London more are coming, “We’re anticipating probably getting two to three a week for the next couple of weeks.”
London Health Sciences Centre's Carol Young-Ritchie is seen in an online interview with CTV News London on Friday, June 4, 2021.
Carol Young-Ritchie
How many Manitoba patients LHSC receives is determined by Ontario’s COVID Critical Care Command Centre, but Young-Ritchie says the hospital has capacity.
“We have seen a drop in our COVID numbers, so we have been able to take more.”
It is not just fewer local cases freeing up space. Critical care beds are also opening up because COVID-19 patient transfers from the Greater Toronto Area have become less frequent.
Young-Ritchie says Manitoba patients arriving in Ontario generally only remain until they are stabilized.
A clear example was captured on the tarmac in London Wednesday, as the aircraft dropping off a patient to a waiting ambulance quickly loaded another patient to return home.
The Manitoba government said Friday it won’t lift any current restrictions in the province until - at least - out-of-province transfers are no longer needed.
Currently, LHSC has fewer than five out-of-province patients, but Young-Ritchie could not confirm if all call Manitoba home.
She also reassures local residents that should full COVID-19 capacity be required, provincial officials would not place out-of-province patients at LHSC.
“We watch that very closely every day,” she concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.