Over the last month, nearly 90 surgeries were postponed in central Alberta due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AHS said in an email statement Friday that 43 surgeries have been postponed since May 19 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre alone.

“Rising rates of COVID-19 transmission seen earlier this spring had a significant impact on capacity at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, particularly in the ICU,” Alberta Health Services Central zone said in an email statement.

“As part of AHS’ response measures to the increased demands, one operating room was closed at the hospital to bolster staffing numbers in the ICU. A number of elective procedures were postponed to help support the demands in ICU.”

AHS said an additional 41 surgeries were postponed at rural surgical sites.

The agency said more than half of the surgeries at the rural sites were postponed due to the required isolation of a surgeon who was a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

Alberta Health Services Central ZonecentralalbertaCityof Red Deerred deer city