Two small town hospitals in east-central Alberta are temporarily closing their emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Friday, the emergency rooms at both the Consort Hospital and Care Centre and the Hardisty Health Centre — both located in towns between Red Deer and the Saskatchewan border — have been closed.
Alberta Health Services said the moves were made as the health authority proactively plans for the anticipated surge in demand for acute care and emergency department spaces due to COVID-19.
AHS said patients arriving at the ERs in Hardisty and Consort will be redirected to other care options and EMS is prepared to transport patients to other nearby facilities if required.