Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

COVID-19 IN GRANDE PRAIRIE

“Absolutely concerning”: Grande Prairie mayor as COVID-19 hospitalizations surge

Aug 30, 2021 | 4:17 PM

Grande Prairie’s mayor says recent surge capacity measures taken by Alberta Health Services at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital are concerning to both city hall and council, and she is hoping the province will step up to take a stronger lead in how to address the issue.

Jackie Clayton alluded to that Monday after two different surge capacity measures were taken over the weekend to increase bed spaces for COVID-19 patients, as cases requiring hospitalization surged at the hospital.

The first measure, announced late Friday, was that 45 elective surgeries per week were to be cancelled at the QEII starting Monday. The second measure was implemented on Saturday evening, as nine patients at the hospital were diverted to other hospitals to receive care.

The measures come as those receiving care for COVID-19 in the North Zone went from 36 on Thursday evening to 53 as of Sunday night.

“(Sunday)’s announcement from AHS is absolutely concerning for the city,” said Clayton in a news conference Monday.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

In an email to EverythingGP Monday, AHS says as of August 30, five of the six available ICU beds at the QEII were filled, though it was not specified if all five patients were COVID-19 related. AHS added in its statement that the number of beds available is constantly fluctuating.

“The system is constantly dynamic, and we manage beds on an hourly and daily basis, depending on patient need, staffing levels, acuity of patients (some patients/conditions require increased resources staffing and otherwise), and many other factors,” said an AHS spokesperson, in the email to EverythingGP.

Despite the issues arising at the QEII and a continued rise in new cases in the city and surrounding area, Clayton says no discussions of bringing in additional public health measures have been had by Grande Prairie City Council.

This includes the possibility of re-instituting Bylaw C-1426, commonly known as the Mandatory Mask (Face Covering) Bylaw. The Bylaw was instituted in September of 2020 but was not renewed by council in late January because of the province’s overlapping province-wide order.

“It may be a discussion in the future, but as of today we have not had discussion of bringing back our mask mandate,” said Clayton. “At this point, council isn’t looking to implement a mask bylaw.”

However, Clayton says she and council would be more than happy to work with provincial public health officials if they were to step forward with any possible mandates.

She says she feels it is unfair for the province to download public health decisions on municipalities, given they do not employ experts in the field of public health.

“From the start of the pandemic we’ve always advocated for the province to take a lead on our collective response to COVID,” said Clayton, pointing to recent decisions by the B.C. government to re-implement indoor masking orders, as well as requiring proof of vaccination to enter certain businesses and services beginning next month.

“And that it was not downloaded to municipalities or school boards for decisions,” Clayton added.

“The city has been and always will be a willing partner, and we are happy to support where the public health authorities see fit.”

Clayton adds that while city council has implemented its own public health measures in the city earlier in the pandemic, she feels after 18 months, the province should take more of a leading role on such decisions.

“In the beginning, it was kind of like building a plane while you were flying it,” said Clayton. “Right now, we’re looking for more information from the province in regard to what they see as an implementation.”

As to whether public health officials from the Alberta government have entered discussions with the City of Grande Prairie to address the rise in COVID-19 cases, Clayton says to her knowledge that has not happened yet.

“There has been no communication from the province in regard to their expected implementation of any changes, or a mask bylaw.”

With the City of Grande Prairie sitting at just over 50 per cent of its eligible population having been fully immunized against COVID-19, which is below the provincial average of over 69 per cent, Clayton does encourage the community to get vaccinated.

“Healthcare officials have stated that vaccinations are the path out, to prevent severe illnesses and hospitalizations,” said Clayton. “Grande Prairie residents who have not been vaccinated should consider if they want to get the vaccine.”

Clayton adds residents should also continue to take precautions and protect themselves and each other from COVID-19.

“If you are feeling sick, stay home, and if you are going to a large gathering, consider wearing a mask,” she said.

The rise in patients requiring acute or intensive care is also exacerbating an alleged staffing shortage in Grande Prairie.

Back in July, both NDP Leader Rachel Notley and United Nurses of Alberta locals held a press conference in Grande Prairie, where they reported staffing shortages had led to the closure of 14 beds at the QEII.

READ MORE: Staffing shortages causing bed closures at QEII Hospital: Notley, UNA