As the rate of ICU admissions continues to climb in Saskatchewan, the province has reached out for additional resources for the Intensive Care Units. 

Premier Scott Moe addressed the media on Monday, confirming that the request has been made but they aren’t expecting that a lot of resources will be coming. 

“We're also very realistic in what the federal government has provided other areas and what they might be able to provide Saskatchewan,” Moe said.  

“It would be two, three, four, or five ICU beds, which isn't a lot in the scope of 135, but it very much will be appreciated as every bed does count right now.” 

There have been questions around the timing of the request as the federal government came out to tell provinces to make their requests as early as possible. 

Marlo Pritchard, president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and member of the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, said they initially reached out to their partners in the Northern Emergency Management Assistance Compact. 

The Northern Emergency Management Assistance Compact includes Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Illinois, Montana, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

“To date, Montana, Michigan, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania have indicated they cannot provide resources. We also know that Alberta and Manitoba are facing a similar situation regarding COVID as Saskatchewan,” Pritchard said. 

The request to the federal government includes critical care nurses, respiratory therapists, and perfusionists that can help support the ICUs. 

“I don't know what the number is available. I do know from sitting in a pre-planning session from a couple of weeks ago that those numbers are very small,” Pritchard said. 

He added that there is also no solid timeline as to when Saskatchewan could see federal help. 

This month, Alberta started receiving military support to help with hospitalizations. Pritchard said military relief is a possibility with the province’s request. 

“I have been on calls earlier from representatives from the federal government and those specific resources in regards to critical care nurses and those ICU skills are very limited, including in the military, but that request will include federal assets, which would potentially include military personnel that has those training skills,” he said.