Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital ERs declare Code Orange due to patient volumes
The emergency departments at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospitals are currently under a Code Orange and dealing with capacity pressures.
The hospitals say their emergency departments have overflowed due to an extremely high number of patients with respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 and RSV, as well as other illnesses and injuries.
The capacity pressures have also forced the cancellation of some elective surgeries.
In-person visits to the second floor of the Perth site have been restricted due an outbreak until further notice.
A spokesperson from the hospitals said the emergency departments are currently at 120 per cent capacity. While it has become normal to operate above 100 per cent capacity, officials say the latest surge this week pushed the ER capacity over 130 per cent, triggering the Code Orange.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
Speaking to Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron on NewsTalk 580 CFRA, Michael Cohen, CEO of both hospitals, said that 12 people were waiting for a bed in the emergency departments, with unconventional spaces being used to accommodate patients.
Cohen said he hopes the hospitals will be out of Code Orange by the end of the week.
A spokesperson said those who still need to visit the emergency departments in Perth and Smiths Falls still could but wait times will be longer than usual.
They say hospital staff are continuing to assess each person that comes in, but will treat the sickest patients first.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Much of Canada is under a weather alert this weekend: here's what to know
From snow, to high winds, to extreme cold, much of Canada is under a severe weather alert this weekend. Here's what to expect in your region.
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
Man injured in Longueuil home invasion in the presence of a child
A Longueuil resident was injured during a home invasion early Saturday morning in the presence of a child.
Jeff Baena, writer, director and husband of Aubrey Plaza, dead at 47
Jeff Baena, a writer and director whose credits include 'Life After Beth' and 'The Little Hours,' has died, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Hundreds of animals killed in Dallas shopping centre fire
A fire that broke out at a shopping center in Dallas on Friday morning killed more than 500 animals, most of which were small birds, authorities said.
breaking MP Peter Fragiskatos calls on Trudeau to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost the confidence of another prominent Liberal MP.
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
Thirty years on, is Quebec headed for another independence referendum?
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Quebec's second independence referendum -- the first one was in 1980 -- it seems the tide could be turning again. Legault is deeply unpopular after six years in power, and the Parti Quebecois, with a young, charismatic leader, has been ahead in the polls for more than a year.
Another suspect arrested in investigation of man found dead on Niagara Region roadside, one remains at large: police
Niagara police have made another arrest in the murder investigation of a 38-year-old man found dead near a rural roadway in Port Colborne, Ont., this past summer.