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By Chris Brown

province asked for help this week

Ottawa offers military assistance to Alberta for fight against COVID-19

Sep 23, 2021 | 3:30 PM

The federal government will help Alberta in its fight against COVID-19 as the fourth wave continues to run through the province.

In a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says he recognizes the significant, immediate challenges currently facing Albertans and knows the importance of securing support for the health-care system.

“The available federal assistance includes a range of capabilities, including the deployment of CAF Medical resources and/or aero-medical evacuation capability,” he writes.

He says support through the Canadian Red Cross and other federal health human resources.

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Provincial Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver wrote to Blair on Tuesday requesting help to transfer ICU patients to other provinces and for additional critical care staff for the province.

The fourth wave has hit Alberta harder than any other province.

Alberta currently has the highest number of COVID patients in hospital and in ICU since the pandemic began.

Since Sept. 1 hospitalizations have gone from 431 to 1,040 while ICU admissions have gone from 106 to 230.

In the same time period, 219 Albertans have died due to COVID-19.