CHETWYND -- The emergency department at the Chetwynd Hospital and Health Centre has reopened after closing briefly Friday then again on Saturday evening.

The ER was on diversion between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. August 9th, with Northern Health citing “a gap in physician coverage” for the two hour closure.

Then on August 10th, the Health Authority announced an overnight department closure impacting emergency room services until 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

A lack of nurses was citied for the closure at the hospital where less than two weeks into August, four ER diversions have already been announced.

Those needing life threatening emergency care were taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, according to Northern Health.

The closure marks the 24th time this year staff shortages have forced the ER to go on diversion.