Alberta is sending 250,000 N95 masks to B.C. as part of a plan to supply personal protective equipment and ventilators to three provinces to help in the COVID-19 fight.
The Alberta government said Saturday that it can safely send the N95 masks, procedural masks, gloves, goggles and ventilators to B.C., Ontario, and Quebec while maintaining supply for Alberta’s health care system.
The Alberta government said it will begin shipping the items next week, and is willing to provide more supplies to other provinces as the need arise.
“Albertans should be very proud that we are able to extend a helping hand to our Canadian brothers and sisters in this time of need,” Premier Jason Kenney said in a statement.
“It is because of Albertans’ efforts to isolate and the incredible job being done by front line health care workers that we are in a position to support others during this crisis. We want all of our country to know that in both good times and bad, Alberta is there for Canada.”
Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia are the Canadian provinces that have been most impacted by COVID-19.
Quebec has more than 11,670 cases and 241 deaths, Ontario has more than 6,640 cases and 253 deaths, and B.C. has more than 1,400 cases and 58 deaths.
B.C. will receive:
• 250,000 N95 masks
Quebec will receive:
• 250,000 N95 masks
• 2 million procedural masks
• 15 million gloves
Ontario will receive:
• 250,000 N95 masks
• 2.5 million procedural masks
• 15 million gloves
• 87,000 goggles
• 50 ventilators
It is expected the ventilators will remain in Ontario until the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak has passed.
Meantime Saturday, SafeCare B.C., the health and safety association for BC’s continuing care sector, called on government to “urgently” address the shortage of masks and other protective equipment at long term care and assisted living homes.
A recent survey conducted by SafeCare B.C. of 478 members revealed that 70 per cent are experiencing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment, while 77 per cent said they either have no N95 masks or only enough to last three days.
Fifty-one per cent of care providers say they either have no eye protection equipment or expect to be out by end of the long weekend, according SafeCare B.C.
“Every day, we are contacted by our members, who are desperate for personal protective equipment to keep workers and the people they care for safe,” said Jen Lyle, CEO, SafeCare B.C., in a statement Saturday.
“We are so appreciative of the public’s response to our call for equipment, but we now need B.C.’s health and political leaders to do more.”
SafeCare B.C. said it was directing all donated items into the provincial supply chain but only three members had received PPE from the province.
Lyle said now the organization will respond directly to urgent requests for assistance from SafeCare B.C. members and assisted living providers.
