BETH MOLE – 3/18/2020
As the number of detected COVID-19 cases in the US nears 6,500 and deaths reached 115 on March 18, healthcare workers are already being hit hard by the pandemic sweeping the country.
Dozens have fallen ill, and many more are in quarantine. At least two emergency physicians are in critical condition.
“I am deeply saddened by this news, but not surprised,” William Jaquis, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said in a statement. “This virus is dangerous, and its impact is still unfolding. As emergency physicians, we answer the call to care for our most vulnerable, even at great personal risk.”
Jaquis urged ACEP members to stay vigilant and “meticulously follow the recommended precautions to protect yourself.”
One of the main sources of anxiety for many healthcare professionals, though, is a possible lack of precautions and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gowns.
