
Military begins COVID-19 work at Edmonton hospital as Alberta battles fourth wave
Canadian military nurses have started their work at an Edmonton hospital to help alleviate pressure on a critical care unit overburdened with COVID-19 patients.
The Canadian Armed Forces says eight critical care nursing officers - from Ontario and Nova Scotia - have been sent to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Alberta requested assistance from the military last month as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and intensive care admissions spiked.
The military support is to be in place until the end of October.
Alberta has the most active cases in the country, with nearly 19,000 infections.
Canadian Armed Forces Critical Care Nursing Officers and a CAF Senior Nursing Officer are in Edmonton to help Alberta Health Services in the fight against COVID-19. The nurses conducted an orientation session with AHS staff on Oct. 6, and will soon be providing care to critically ill patients. (AHS)
The province reported 1,263 new cases and 26 new deaths, with 247 COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
New measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta came into effect Wednesday, including a reduction in the outdoor gathering limit to 20 people from 200 and the resumption of public reporting of schools with at least two known infections.
Additionally, Albertans 75 and older and First Nations, Inuit and Metis people aged 65 and older can now book a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2021.
Must Watch
Top Videos
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

NEW | Weekend announcements narrow field of high-profile Liberal leadership prospects
As a race to elect a new Liberal leader quickly approaches, a high-profile candidate appears set to throw their hat into the ring.
17 min ago
UPDATED | Minister says dozens of firefighters from Alberta and B.C. to deploy in California
Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan says dozens of firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia will help fight wildfires in California, and the federal government is co-ordinating efforts with the provinces to deploy resources.
7 min ago
Alberta premier Danielle Smith meets with Trump at impromptu Mar-a-Lago visit
Alberta premier Danielle Smith met with President-elect Donald Trump Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
'Hell on earth': Ottawa rapper TwoTiime among Canadians displaced by L.A. fires
Ottawa rapper Khalid Omar, who performs under the name TwoTiime, was forced to evacuate his Calabasas condo as wildfires tore through the Los Angeles area this week, leaving the studio where he records in ruins.
Death toll continues to rise as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week
After a weekend spent blocking the explosive growth of fires that destroyed thousands of homes as the death toll continues to rise in the Los Angeles area.
4 hours ago
Are there U.S. military bases and American troops in Canada?
The U.S. military has more than 165,000 troops deployed in over 170 countries and territories, including Canada.
Costco Canada accused of overcharging online shoppers in class-action lawsuit
Perrier Attorneys says Costco charged more for items online than in-store, a practice known as “double ticketing,” which is banned under the Competition Act.
Meet Franklin, the rescued tortoise who spent the last three months in a B.C. fridge
Franklin the tortoise has been in a fridge for the past 15 weeks.
Teen's road test halted by stunt driving charge
A 17-year-old driver failed their road test before it even began after being stopped by police in a community safety zone.