Dr. Cathy Groh of the Elliot Lake Family Health Team took to social media Sunday to raise the red flag about the danger COVID-19 poses to local health services.
"Hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario of people with COVID-19 have been increasing over the past weeks. If this continues, elective medical care may need to be cancelled," she wrote.
"In the spring, hospitals across Ontario were told to cancel elective care in order to create capacity for a surge in patients. Our hospital in Elliot Lake had to close its OR, cancel specialist visits and close programs at the Camillus Centre.
"These actions created room for hospital patients both on the second floor of the hospital and at the Camillus Centre. Since the spring these services have gradually resumed. The second floor has returned to being used as a pre- and post-op area, as well as visiting specialist examining rooms. The Camillus Centre has resumed its programs, although at reduced numbers.
"Our hospital is full to capacity most days," Dr. Groh continued. "The only way to make room for a surge in patients with COVID-19 would be to cancel some existing services.
"Following public health guidelines not only protects you and your family and other community members from COVID-19, but protects the hospital from a surge in patients that would shut down services that are needed by us all."
She linked to a website maintained by the Ontario Government with data and sources: covid-19.ontario.ca/data.
"It reports that 484 people are in hospital in Ontario with COVID-19 and 147 are in the ICU. Our hospital has purchased additional ventilators," she concluded.