Ontario hospitals start ramping down elective surgeries to increase ICU capacity by The Canadian Press, news staff Posted Apr 12, 2021 5:50 am EDT Last Updated Apr 12, 2021 at 6:37 am EDT A digital Intensive Care Unit room at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital in Vaughan, Ont., on Jan. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Ontario hospitals will start ramping down elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures on Monday to ensure they have the capacity to treat more COVID-19 patients. Health Minister Christine Elliott said Friday that could increase intensive-care unit capacity in Ontario by up to 1,000 patient beds. Several GTA hospitals are also reportedly shutting down their pediatric units.