During the second wave of COVID-19, the entire hospital system is on high alert according to the head of the Horizon Health Network.
CEO Karen McGrath says occupancy levels are constantly being reviewed with extra scrutiny being placed on admissions and discharges.
“Elective surgeries are continuing for now but this plan is directly affected by our ability to admit patients into acute care beds.”
McGrath says the system could easily become overwhelmed by only a few new cases.
Fewer visits to the emergency room have occurred recently with McGrath noting a recent drop of about 30 to 40 percent at the larger hospitals in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton.
McGrath says the drop can be concerning because she notes how some people may need emergency care but are choosing to avoid hospitals due to the pandemic.
She says 64 Horizon Health employees are currently self-isolating related to COVID-19.
McGrath added lessons have been learned from the first wave of the virus and various measures have been put in place as a result to combat the second wave.
