Alberta sending "surplus" coronavirus medical supplies to other provinces

Apr 11 2020, 9:34 pm

The Alberta government announced today that it plans to send excess medical equipment that it currently has “stockpiled” to other provinces across Canada “to help address unprecedented demand in those provinces for personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators.”

Speaking about the decision on Saturday from an Alberta Health Services warehouse full of medical supplies and equipment, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said Albertans should be very proud that we are able to extend a helping hand to our Canadian brothers and sisters in this time of need.”

It is “because of Albertans’ efforts to isolate and the incredible job being done by frontline healthcare workers that we are in a position to support others during this crisis,” said Kenney. “We want all of our country to know that in both good times and bad, Alberta is there for Canada.”

The decision comes following what the province said are recent COVID-19 modelling projections, which indicate the most probable scenario for Alberta is the virus will reach its peak mid-May, and that an estimated 820 people could require hospitalization during the peak period, with more than a quarter requiring critical care.

Currently, and based on these projections, Kenney said Alberta’s numbers are “far lower than hardest hit areas around the world, as well as the numbers in places like Ontario and Quebec.”

Kenney said that with current supply stockpiles and more shipments on the way, Alberta will retain enough of each of the PPE items to maintain an “adequate supply” of each, a statement echoed Alberta’s Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

“I assure all Albertans that we have ample supply,” he said. “We are in a position both to keep Albertans safe and to help ensure Canadian health care systems from coast to coast are equipped to take on the challenges ahead.”

Beginning next week, the province will ship the following supplies to the following provinces:

Ontario

  • 250,000 N95 masks
  • 5 million procedural masks
  • 15 million gloves
  • 87,000 goggles
  • 50 ventilators, which are expected to remain there “until the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak has passed.”

Quebec

  • 250,000 N95 masks
  • 2 million procedural masks
  • 15 million gloves

British Columbia

  • 250,000 N95 masks

More information about Alberta’s  response to COVID-19 including measures to enhance social distancing, screening and testing is available online.

Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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