Continued spike in COVID 911 calls may impact response time: York Region paramedics chief

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 19, 2021

York Region Paramedic Services Chief Chris Spearen. Debora Kelly/NewmarketToday
Hospitalizations and 911 call volumes are increasing rapidly in York Region.

During the region’s special council meeting today, York Region medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji provided a breakdown of COVID-19 hospitalizations within the region. York Region Paramedic Services Chief Chris Spearen also spoke about changes seen by the service in the past month.

Since March 2021, Spearen said there has been a significant increase in 911 call volume due to COVID-19. In the last seven days, he said there had been a 33 per cent increase in daily patient contacts.

“We’ve seen a fairly dramatic spike in activity over the last seven days,” he said.

Despite this, Spearen said the service has only seen slightly delayed offload times at hospitals.

“However, as the volume of patients we take to the hospital increases, there definitely is a risk that those transfer of care times could increase, impacting some of our service levels.”

Spearen said the changes are putting pressure on EMS staff.

“If our call volumes continue to increase, there could be an impact to response times, especially for our lower acuity patients. We did see some of that last week,” said Spearen.

During Dr. Kurji’s update, he provided up-to-date information on hospitalizations.

As of April 14, there are 44 York Region residents currently in hospital, with seven of those in intensive care units (ICU). Of that total, 27 York Region residents are in York Region hospitals, and 17 York Region residents are hospitals outside of the region.

“That is not to say our hospitals are not busy,” said Kurji. “They are extremely busy and are very stressed. It’s largely because they are also looking after hospitalizations of individuals who originate from outside York Region.”

Kurji said 136 non-York Region residents have been transferred into York Region hospitals. Of those, 21 non-residents are in York Region ICUs.

Kurji also touched on vaccines during his update, noting there are nearly 140 pharmacists in York Region that are now able to dispense the AstroZeneca vaccine, which is available to those aged 55 and older.

“We hope more and more people access that vaccine. We strongly believe the first vaccine offered is the best one,” said Kurji.

“Recently there has been a case of a blood clot in a woman (who received the vaccine) in Quebec that is under investigation, however, the risk of developing a clot is one in 250,000. The risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in York Region is 250 per 100,000,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to make sense to forgo the AstraZeneca vaccine in the hopes that another vaccine will come.”

Kurji noted there is a “roller coaster ride” in regards to Moderna shipments, which he said is tied to issues with quality control.

“Despite this roller-coaster ride and us having to close certain clinics, the uptake of vaccines in York Region has been very good,” said Kurji. “Twenty five per cent of adults in York Region have already received one dose. It’s significant.”

Kurji also noted that mortality in the 80-plus population has plummeted.

“It is my hope that in the weeks ahead we will see the mortality rates drop in people over the age of 70,” he said.

Kurji also addressed the low vaccine supply in the region.

“The issue is everybody seems to want more vaccines,” he said. “I would certainly be in favour of any resolution that prioritizes York Region’s needs. Our hotspots are no different than hotspots in Peel or Durham. The reality is, no matter how much we try, we have not been able to get much by way of extra vaccines.”

At the end of the meeting, councillors voted in favour of a resolution that recognized there is not enough supply of vaccines in York Region to vaccinate all eligible residents, and therefore requested the province increase the supply of vaccines to ensure consistency and equity in vaccine distribution.