Eastern Health outlines Hurricane Igor response
Emergency, acute care sites still operating but community-based facilities closed
Newfoundland and Labrador's largest health authority, Eastern Health, on Tuesday outlined how its facilities are responding to emergencies in communities hit by Hurricane Igor.
It said acute and emergency care services are still being provided at its facilities but that all community-based sites throughout the region it covers were closed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Community-based sites include community health and public health nursing offices, infant clinics and counselling centres but not acute care or long-term care facilities.
Hurricane Igor was downgraded to a post–tropical storm Tuesday afternoon, but several roads in the province remained washed out, and several towns have declared states of emergency.
The highway down the Burin Peninsula south of Goobies has been closed because of flooding, and the communities of Gambo, Bonavista and Trinity are also experiencing serious flooding.
The health authority said anyone with a health emergency should call the nearest emergency department or the local ambulance service.
Roads that have been closed in some parts of eastern Newfoundland are still accessible to emergency vehicles, the agency said.
If there are roads that are not accessible, Eastern Health said, it will work with local emergency responders in the area to determine how best to respond to an emergency.
Eastern Health said it had been able to respond to all the emergency calls it had received as of late Tuesday afternoon.
Access to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's was possible late Tuesday afternoon, but all emergency response vehicles had been moved to other locations. Emergency vehicles not able to access the Health Sciences Centre will be sent to St. Clare's.
No Eastern Health facilities had to be evacuated Tuesday afternoon.
The agency issued an advisory to patients who use oxygen tanks or ventilators at home.
The health authority said patients on home oxygen or ventilation who are without power and who are concerned about their batteries running out should call their equipment supplier.
All suppliers provide 24-hour support services and will be able to provide assistance, the health authority said.