A warning from Niagara Health.
Currently, 71 patients are being treated for COVID-19 in local hospitals, and 17 of them are in the ICU.
Under the direction of the province, some scheduled surgeries are being postponed again this week, however, urgent operations and cancer surgeries are not impacted.
Niagara Health expanded critical care capacity by three beds last week, and plans to add more beds this week.
The number of COVID-19 patients, including those who require urgent care, is expected to keep rising, putting further pressures on health services at all sites.
Niagara Health encourages everyone to get a vaccine once they are eligible, and to continue following the advice of public health.
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