Government officials took to the podium today (Thursday, September 9) to announce strategies to alleviate the pressure on the health care system in Alberta. 

During the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in the province are feeling extreme strain with the rapidly rising number of cases due to the virus. 

Health Minister Shandro announced that $36 million in new funding will go to expanding workforce capacity to treat COVID-19 patients outside of hospitals to alleviate the pressure. 

"Today we are adding resources for homecare and more supports for residents in continuing our care facilities. The goal is to move patients out of hospitals and into more appropriate care settings." Twenty-two million dollars over two years will be used to increase pay for certified healthcare aides who are working in contracted home care agencies. An additional $14 million is being provided to expand workforce capacity to support home care and continuing care facilities on a short-term basis until March 31, 2022. 

Dr. Verna Yui, CEO of Alberta Health Services says, "Currently, we have about 400 hundred patients right now in our acute care system who actually could potentially go home either to a long term care setting or actually to their home setting. So, by providing this incentive funding and having more home care staff we're hoping that we can actually improve the flow within the hospital to allow for increasing the capacity."

The other step being taken is the postponement of elective surgeries to lessen the strain on the ICU wards as some surgeries may require ICU treatment.  

Dr. Yiu stated that as of Thursday afternoon, the ICU capacity was at 87 per cent including surge capacity that has been created. There are 231 people in ICU and approximately 70 per cent of the patients have COVID-19.

Again, the same message was repeated by all officials that the best way to combat the fourth wave of COVID-19 is to have as many people vaccinated as possible.