By Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — A group of Alberta doctors is pleading with Premier Jason Kenney to bring in stricter public health measures to control the spread of Covid-19.

In an open letter to the premier, more than 50 doctors say the spread of the virus is spiralling out of control.

And they say modelling projections predict there will be upwards of 300 Covid patients in the province’s ICUs in addition to the 175 critically ill patients that would normally be there.

“Although additional beds and equipment can likely be provided, it is highly doubtful that healthcare workers with the necessary expertise can be made available to staff the extra ICU surge beds,” the doctors warn in the letter.

They also say this number of patients would exceed the capacity of surge beds resulting in triage procedures being used to determine who gets lifesaving treatment.

There has been opposition to tougher measures by people who say it’s time to fully reopen the province. But the doctors disagree.

“Failure to control the pandemic in Alberta will delay the province’s economic recovery,” the doctors write. “We have already delayed far too long in protecting Albertans.”

Premier Jason Kenney is to announce new measures today over the dinner hour.

(Eagle News Service)