TORONTO -- Hospitals across Ontario have been ordered to cancel all non-urgent and non-emergency surgeries in order to clear space for a potential influx of COVID-19 patients.
The directive, issued on Tuesday by Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, will have an immediate impact on hospitals in Northwestern Ontario, including Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
The hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. However, officials at Fort Frances, Ont''s La Verendrye General Hospital confirmed they would be cancelling any surgeries that fell under the provincial order.
In a release issued on Wednesday afternoon, officials with Riverside Health Care said non-emergency and non-urgent surgeries and procedures will be postponed for the time being to ensure the hospital has the resources needed to combat a Ontario-wide surge of the virus.
The hospital may be asked to take in COVID patients from outside of the Rainy River District should things continue to get worse in other areas of the province, notably southern Ontario.
The decision comes with Ontario reporting 4,212 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and nearly 800 patients in intensive care units. Thunder Bay Regional only has 10 COVID patients admitted to the hospital, with four in the ICU. The province cited emerging variants of concern as another reason for the decision.
Riverside Health Care said they will contact anyone whose surgery has to be cancelled under the directive.
Those who aren't contacted are asked to present themselves as planned for their appointment.
“At Riverside, our team is remaining vigilant, recognizing our resilience and proactive approach are central to continuing to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. We appreciate the support of patients, residents, clients, families and the public as we implement these increased measures.” said Riverside president and CEO, Henry Gauthier.