In my experience, most Canadians are unaware that Canada has extremely few available acute care hospital beds (meaning “beds that are maintained, staffed and immediately available for use”) compared to other countries. Here’s the international comparison: data.oecd.org/chart/6a67
What this means: we have less leeway than other countries to max out hospital capacity as intensive care units (ICUs) fill up with COVID-19 patients needing beds, equipment, and health care staff’s attention for days or weeks.
When my research group made an app in April to help people understand how social/physical distancing works to reduce transmission, this is why we noted that hospitals getting overwhelmed is a problem for people with COVID or needing care for other reasons.
https://twitter.com/wittemanlab/status/1248368603868643328?s=20
The voiceover here (that’s my voice) says: "If we don’t do anything, the Coronavirus can easily spread through your community. It can reach you, the people around you, and others in your community. Some people will have a milder case, perhaps even without symptoms."
“Milder cases are shown by hexagons that turn red, but then fade to pink. But other people, the hexagons that stay red, will have severe cases, and may need to go to the hospital.”
“If too many people have severe cases at once, hospitals may not have enough beds, equipment, or staff to care for everyone.”
“This could be a problem for anyone who needs urgent medical attention, whether for the Coronavirus or for other reasons; for example, a heart attack or car accident.”
And here we are.
https://twitter.com/michellemd27/status/1327071441565618177?s=20
This is one of the reasons health professionals & scientists are speaking out right now, even some who are uncomfortable doing so. Hospital care requires beds, equipment, and people to provide the care. We do not have an unlimited supply of any of those. And the people are tired.
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