This year, she’s seen an influx of patients with soaked, frozen extremities — fingers and toes that sometimes couldn’t be saved. With hundreds living outside this winter, Champagne noted that COVID-19 has restricted access to spaces like coffee shops and public libraries that Toronto’s homeless population typically relies on in the winter to get warm and dry. Elizabeth Harrison, a nurse with Toronto’s Inner City Health Associates, has also seen a spike this winter in frostbite and “freezing cold injuries” among homeless patients. Dave Smith, who has been living outside for roughly six months, said he tries to keep warm by walking for hours on end. “Someone might have to drink until they’re not conscious anymore.”Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...Harrison said one of her primary concerns this year relates to the increase in encampments across Toronto since COVID-19 hit — and the health of those without experience outdoors, should the weather become more severe.

Source: thestar January 22, 2021 22:41 UTC