Staff members at Collingwood’s hospital are getting through this busy and unprecedented time thanks to help from the community.
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital President and CEO Norah Holder says some staff are anxious and worried and encouraging posts on Facebook, fire and police processions and community donations of PPE are helping.
Holder says the hospital currently has about a week’s worth of Personal Protection Equipment which includes masks, gowns and gloves.
She adds that if patient levels increase, that supply would deplete much quicker.
The assessment centre behind the hospital saw 29 people yesterday (Tuesday) and 29 swabs for COVID-19 were done.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Collingwood hospital has done 203 tests for Coronavirus.
Norah Holder says the hospital is preparing for more patients by expanding the ICU.
There are currently five ICU beds and two ventilators and by April 23rd there will be seven beds.
The hospital is also working on off-site planning.
Norah Holder concluded her update to local media by saying, “We are here for you, please be here for us.” She asks everyone to stay home including on this upcoming Easter weekend.
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1/2 An important new update on Telehealth Wait Times:
Ontario is now advising members of the public concerned about COVID-19 to call their primary-care physician, if they have one, as an alternative to Telehealth.
— CollingwoodGMHosp (@CollingwoodHosp) April 8, 2020
2/2 The current average wait time for COVID-19 related calls is approximately 23 hours, while the average wait time for other inquiries is about two-and-a-half days.
The Ministry of Health is working with Telehealth Ontario to reduce callback times.
— CollingwoodGMHosp (@CollingwoodHosp) April 8, 2020