Airmedic, a Canadian company specialising in emergency air medical transport, has set up a COVID-19 unit in recent weeks to assist the Quebec authorities with the transportation of infected patients. With the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease, this unit provides a solution for patients who are in remote areas and who have to go to specialised health facilities in the event of complications.

More specifically, the Airmedic team has developed a rigorous intervention protocol combining a disinfection airlock and a unique air circulation system to disinfect aircraft effectively and eliminate the risk of contamination. Above all, this protocol aims to adequately protect medical personnel.

Since the Quebec government's announcement to reopen some previously confined regions, voices have been raised to express their concern that the spread of the virus will accelerate and at the geographic distance of remote communities from specialised health centres, which are based in the region's major cities. Airmedic expects this tool to allay palpable concerns among the population.

“This new squad demonstrates all the ingenuity and know-how of our teams, and I thank our staff for their commitment and hard work. Over the past few weeks, the protocol implemented has proven to be most effective and is certainly part of the solution in the fight against the coronavirus,” comments Sophie Larochelle, executive vice president of Airmedic.

Airmedic's fleet includes five Pilatus PC-12s and four helicopters including three Airbus EC145 (delivered last June) and one EC130 B4.