Montreal Hospitals Could Reach Capacity By November, Says A New Report

At current rates, ICUs could be full even sooner.
Montreal Hospitals Could Reach Capacity By November, Says A New Report
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Projections from an October 7 report by L'Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS) suggest that some hospitals in Quebec — particularly those in Montreal and nearby regions — could reach capacity by November if the COVID-19 transmission rate remains constant or rises.

This includes hospitals in Montreal, Laval, the Laurentians, Lanaudière and Montérégie.

However, the report says hospital capacities could be adjusted to meet increasing needs.

It also says measures to flatten the curve could have an impact on hospitalizations in the coming weeks and months.

Editor's Choice: Here's Why COVID-19 Is Hitting Some Montreal Boroughs Harder Than Others

1,800  Hospital beds available in Quebec

Other regions in Quebec are not expected to reach capacity at this time.

Hospitals in Montreal and nearby regions have a capacity of approximately 1,200 beds, and they're expected to reach capacity by November 6, if the province's 28-day "stay home" mandate for the city doesn't work.

Intensive care units in Montreal and nearby regions could reach capacity even sooner. There are approximately 200 beds, which could reach capacity by October 31.  

Aside from the availability of beds, other factors that impact hospital capacity include the availability of staff and equipment.

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  • Lea Sabbah
  • Lea Sabbah
    Lea Sabbah was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. Previously, Lea was a radio host on CJLO 1690 AM and her work has been published by Global News, the Toronto Star, Le Devoir and the National Observer. In 2019, she was part of the investigative team that uncovered lead in Montreal's drinking water — a story which won Quebec's Grand Prix Judith-Jasmin. She's a graduate of the journalism program at Concordia University.

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