Waterloo Region looks to London as hospitalizations spike
While most of Ontario is heading into Step 2 of reopening soon the Waterloo Region is seeing a delay due to a spike of new COVID-19 infections, and the trickle down effect has brought more patients to London hospitals.
The president of St. Mary’s General Hospital, Lee Fairclough, told CTV Kitchener Thursday that more patients are coming in critically ill and that some will be transferred London.
“Hospitals are starting to send patients outside of our region due to a lack of capacity locally and this is a precarious position. We want to protect our health system.”
She adds, "We’re seeing younger and younger cases in the community, particularly the twenty to 39 year olds. But we’re also seeing younger people being admitted to hospital."
The London Health Sciences Centre, (LHSC) confirms they have received fewer than five patients, and do not anticipate further transfers.
But in an email statement officials say, "...we are ready to help our health-care partners as needed."
"From a capacity perspective we can certainly handle whatever we would anticipate the province and Waterloo send us," says LHSC's Dr. Adam Dukelow.
London has been taking patients from out of region throughout the pandemic, especially in the third wave.
During April and May LHSC routinely had critical patients from out of region, including as far as Manitoba.
The hospital system based in London is the largest in southwestern Ontario.
During June the number of out-of-region patients in acute and critical care have been fewer than five for both.
"Our hospitals are part of one health system but all health care sectors... need to work together to respond and as we work together we’ve will actually create a better health system for the future," says Dr. Dukelow.
As of Thursday the Waterloo Region had 504 active cases and accounted for 23 per cent of the province’s COVID-19 hospitalizations.
The region currently has 17 active outbreaks.
Just an hour down the road it is a different story in London-Middlesex which had 55 active cases as of Thursday.
- With files from CTV Kitchener's Max Martin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.