AHS says be careful off-roading this weekend, as COVID-19 patients pack ICUs

EDMONTON – The province’s health agency is encouraging people planning to go off-roading this long weekend to use extra caution to prevent traumatic injuries.

May long weekend marks the beginning of what doctors and hospitals call “trauma season” in the province, as more people partake in outdoor activities and more serious injuries come into the emergency room.

Some are concerned that ICUs might not be able to take on the anticipated influx of urgent care patients with ICUs filled with COVID-19 patients.

READ MORE: Docs worried about maxed-out ICUs as Alberta heads into ‘trauma season’

Alberta Health Services says safety should be a top priority for anyone using an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) this weekend.

The health authority says between 2002 and 2019, there have been an average of 4,840 ATV-related emergency department visits and 581 ATV-related hospital admissions each year in Alberta.

“ATVs pose significant risk to all users and particularly children under 16 years of age, who likely do not have the strength, skills or judgment needed to operate an ATV. Over the past 12 months, nearly 120 children were seen in Alberta’s two pediatric emergency departments due to ATV-related injuries, and 51 required hospital admission,” reads a release from AHS.

“To protect children under 16 years of age, parents and caregivers are advised to ensure children do not drive or ride on an ATV. This includes ATVs marketed as ‘child-sized.'”

AHS says to make sure you’re trained on ATV and you are wearing all the appropriate safety gear before tearing it up.

It’s also reminding you not to hop on a quad if you’ve had any drugs or alcohol, adding three out of every five people who died in ATV crashes between 2002 and 2019 had alcohol in their systems.

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