The backlog means 80,000 patients are now waiting for surgery, said Dr. Mark Joffe, an Alberta Health Services vice-president and medical director for northern Alberta. Amid the backlog, patients are being carefully triaged, Joffe said. "In the southern part of the province, there is more intense activity with COVID-19 and that may slow the introduction of surgical procedures." A surgical care initiative announced by the province in May means health-care facilities across the province are better equipped to overcome the backlog, Joffe said. Despite the significant surgical backlog, Joffe said the restrictions were necessary in the fight against COVID-19.

Source: CBC News May 12, 2020 17:59 UTC