For the first time ever, CHEO, eastern Ontario's children's hospital in Ottawa, is preparing to admit intensive care patients as old as 40. With adult hospitals in the region at capacity treating COVID-19 patients, the extra ICU beds being readied will mean patients can stay in Ottawa rather than be transferred elsewhere, the hospital said Tuesday. As of Tuesday, the seven beds were already occupied by pediatric patients, Munter said. That now includes two of the province's pediatric hospitals — CHEO and SickKids in Toronto — said Anthony Dale, president and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association. Munter said the CHEO has capped the age of patients it will admit at 40 because its staff don't have the expertise to care for geriatric patients who may have multiple underlying conditions.

Source: CBC News April 13, 2021 15:54 UTC