Ontario hospital organization says COVID-19 cases affecting other procedures

The Ontario Hospital Association says the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases is making it hard to carry on with other procedures.

It says there are significant capacity issues, particularly in intensive care units.

On Wednesday, Ontario reported 656 patients in hospital with COVID-19. There are 183 in intensive care.

Health experts have warned that having more than 150 COVID-19 patients in intensive care could cause surgeries to be cancelled.

Ontario hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain access to vital surgeries & procedures with #COVID19 cases rising. Hospitals are doing everything they can, but they need your support. Help #StopTheSpread by making better practical choices every day. #wearamask pic.twitter.com/18oq8wwFS0

— Ont. Hospital Assoc. (@OntHospitalAssn) December 2, 2020

The province has already passed that threshold and the latest COVID-19 projections show it’s on track to see 200 people in ICU sometime this month.