Hospital system ‘stretched to its limits’ by COVID-19
Special unit opened in Burlington to handle growing caseload
An “extremely concerning” growth in COVID-19 caseloads has prompted nine hospital systems, including Niagara Health, to open a pandemic response unit at a Burlington hospital.
Starting this week, four area hospital systems providing acute COVID-19 care will be able to transfer some of their coronavirus patients to the unit at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington to avoid disrupting other regular local services.
“Our health-care system is being stretched to its limits,” said Rob Macisaac, president and chief executive of Hamilton Health Sciences, in a release, adding the management team overseeing the new unit will include representation from all the regional hospitals.
He termed it “a necessary step in our continued efforts to preserve critical hospital capacity for our sickest patients.”
Niagara Health president Lynn Guerriero called it “a sober reminder that our healthcare system is under intense pressure and that we must continue to follow public health guidance to reduce transmission of the virus.”
Derek Mcnally, president clinical services and chief nursing executive for Niagara Health, added it is “extremely concerning to see the cases of COVID-19 rising in our care at Niagara Health.”
On Monday, Niagara Health reported it has 92 COVID-19 patients admitted for care, seven more than Sunday and 36 more than a week ago.
Seven patients are on ventilators in intensive care (Niagara Health has 88 ventilator machines). Bed capacity in Niagara ICUS was at 75 per cent full Monday.
Across Niagara, 100 new cases were reported Monday by Niagara Region Public Health.
That adds up to 787 new cases in the past seven days — a 55 per cent increase over the 494 reported the previous week.
There were 1,001 active cases in the region Monday — the most since the start of the pandemic, and a stark rise over the 722 last Monday.
There have been at least 151 deaths related to COVID-19, based on data from public health and the hospital system.
Hamilton also set a record Monday with 1,570 active cases, including 136 new ones.
In the release, Macisaac said acute COVID-19 care is being provided by four regional hospital systems — Niagara Health, Hamilton Health Sciences, Joseph Brant Hospital and St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton.
Staff at the pandemic response unit will care for patients whose conditions are stable but require medical support before they can return home.
“The pandemic response unit was built to care for stable COVID-19 patients who require care that cannot be provided at home, such as oxygen therapy and medication, as well as ongoing monitoring of their symptoms and some personal support,” said Dr. Ian Preyra, chief of staff at Joseph Brant Hospital, in a release.
While a COVID-19 vaccination program started last month in Hamilton, Niagara’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, said Monday he hasn’t heard when Niagara will receive vaccines for seniors and front-line health-care workers.
There are 43 active outbreaks in Niagara, an increase of 11 over Sunday.
The largest was at Oakwood Park Lodge nursing home in Niagara Falls, but the caseload there is shrinking according to data reported Monday by Niagara Health, which is providing management assistance at the privately owned centre. Of the 116 residents who tested positive, only six are still considered active cases. Among the 115 staff who were infected, there remain six active cases. Twentyeight residents have died there.
All of Greater Niagara General Hospital is in outbreak status, though the emergency department at the hospital remains open. Niagara Health said 27 patient cases and 31 staff cases there remain active, and nine patients have died.
Unit 4A at St. Catharines hospital, which is designated for COVID-19 cases, is also in outbreak after two employees tested positive.