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Military begins COVID-19 work at Edmonton hospital as Alberta battles fourth wave

Eight critical care nursing officers — from Ontario and Nova Scotia — have been sent to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
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A patch is seen on a member of the Canadian Armed Forces at Residence Yvon-Brunet, a long-term care home in Montreal, Saturday, April 18, 2020. Canadian military nurses began work at an Edmonton hospital Wednesday to alleviate pressure on a critical-care unit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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 said 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.

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 Métis 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.

The Canadian Press

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