Critical shortage of ambulances in Ottawa Tuesday night
CTV News Ottawa has learned there was a critical shortage of ambulances available to respond to emergency calls in the city of Ottawa Tuesday night.
The Ottawa Paramedic Service was at something called "Level Zero" for an undisclosed amount of time, requiring assistance from other jurisdictions.
This came just hours after the city said contingency plans were no longer needed to maintain services following a major COVID-19 outbreak within the paramedic service.
In a statement, the city confirmed the "Level Zero" status and said offload delays in emergency rooms remains a significant challenge.
"Our service is often impacted when paramedics are held in the emergency department for an extended time. Offload delays at hospital emergency rooms remain a significant challenge. This issue continues to affect Council-approved and legislated response times, now and in the future," said Kim Ayotte, the city's manager of emergency and protective services.
Fifty-three members of the Ottawa Paramedic Service, including paramedics and support staff, have tested positive for COVID-19 following an off-duty event at a restaurant earlier this month and more than 130 close contacts were identified. Paramedic chief Pierre Poirier said in a memo Tuesday that 61 service members had cleared COVID-19 protocols and returned to work adding, "contingencies are no longer required to mitigate service delivery impacts related to this incident."
Poirier had said in previous memos and statements that there were "minimal impacts" to service delivery in the city.
Ayotte echoed Poirier's statement that contingency measures were no longer required, and explained that during "Level Zero" events, the paramedic service is assisted by other emergency responders.
"On occasions where Level Zero is reached, the Service mitigates the impact as required with the support of Ottawa Fire Services and local paramedic services," Ayotte said.
"The City of Ottawa has always strived to maintain established response times for emergencies despite an increasing demand for service. To meet the demand for service, we have been hiring more staff, improving our deployment, conducting community paramedic home visits, and diverting patients away from emergency rooms," he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.