THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE RED CROSS TO SUPPLY FOUR FIELD HOSPITALS TO CARE FOR PATIENTS AS THE COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS IN THE PROVINCE CONTINUE TO RISE.

EDMONTON • The Alberta government has asked the federal government and the Red Cross to supply four field hospitals to care for patients as the COVID-19 case numbers in the province continue to rise, straining the capacity of the health-care system in the province.

The request is for “a structure and beds and other equipment, not for Red Cross staff,” said an Alberta government source.

For weeks the province has been struggling to keep case counts under control, adding more stringent restrictions in recent weeks, including a total ban on in-home gatherings and restricting fitness facilities and hours when Albertans can drink in bars.

But the request is a sign that the scenario Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province's chief medical officer of health, has warned of is coming to fruition: Already in parts of the province, there have been cancellations of non-essential surgeries because of the COVID burden on hospitals.

Alberta has seen significant increases in daily case counts in recent weeks. As of Wednesday afternoon's update, there were 17,144 active cases in the province, with 504 people in hospital, 97 in the ICU. More than 560 people have died.

Alberta Health projections released by the Opposition predict COVID-19 hospitalizations could soar to 775 by mid-december and the number of intensive care patients could reach 161.

Kenney's government has in recent weeks declined to provide internal projections on potential COVID-19 effects on hospital and intensive care wards, although Kenney said this week those numbers might be provided in the coming days.

The latest numbers were leaked to the NDP and released Tuesday.

Hinshaw said the projections are the “worst-case scenario” and don't take into account the recently announced new restrictions.

The Alberta government has promised to ensure there are 425 intensive care unit beds and 2,250 regular beds to care for COVID-19 patients. The field hospital request is not part of the planning to expand ICU and regular hospital beds, said Health Minister Tyler Shandro at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

In a report from CBC, a federal source said the province was likely to receive four hospitals, two from the federal government and two from the Red Cross. Another source within the Alberta government confirmed the request has been made, but also said it was “contingency planning,” should the pandemic continue to get worse, and that there is “no specific plan to activate them.”

The Red Cross declined to comment specifically, referring the National Post to Alberta Health Services.