In order to deal with the recent surge of COVID-19 patients, the province of Ontario has asked the Canadian Armed Forces for help. The army has responded and will send up to three medical teams to Ontario hospitals.
Ontario’s Solicitor General Sylvia Jones has asked for help, stating that local hospitals require additional specialized nurses to assist in intensive care, as well as other medical personnel. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said that the army will deploy “multi-purpose medical assistance teams” to help the province. These teams consist of nursing officers, medical technicians, and other Canadian Forces members for general support.
Blair stated:
“We are always ready to help provinces and territories across Canada in their fight against COVID-19. This is a team Canada effort, and I’m grateful to the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Red Cross, and health professionals who have stepped up to help a neighbour in need. There has been an outstanding collaboration between the responding organizations from all orders of government in response to this emergency, and I want to thank all those on the front lines who continue the battle to keep Canadians safe.”
The federal government confirmed that they will
“fund the redeployment of the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) to augment or relieve staff within medical care facilities.”
Ontario’s Solicitor General Sylvia Jones commented:
“At the conclusion of that process, we have made a request for the assistance of those identified resources, many of whom reside, for example, within the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Red Cross organizations. In addition to the health human resources, we are requesting logistical and operational support as we seek to augment our response to COVID-19.”
The help is expected to arrive in Ontario on Tuesday.
