New York, NY — In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Elmhurst Hospital in New York City is reportedly at a breaking point after 13 people died there within a 24-hour period.
“Staff are doing everything in our power to save every person who contracts COVID-19. But unfortunately, this virus continues to take an especially terrible toll on the elderly and people with preexisting conditions,” he added.
According to hospital officials, the 545-bed hospital is currently functioning at over 125% capacity, compared to its usual 80% capacity rate. The hospital has been in desperate need of protective equipment and supplies as well.
An ER nurse described the situation at the hospital as a “war zone,” saying that people have lined up outside the hospital, mostly to get tested for COVID-19. Some patients died inside the ER without having been able to be treated.
At least 25 staffers from other hospitals were added to Elmhurst in a 24-hour span. Ventilators and 10,000 face masks were recently provided to the hospital, but a lot more is needed to continuously provide the overwhelming increase of people infected with the coronavirus.
Recent reports confirmed there are a total of 20,011 positive cases of coronavirus in New York City and 280 people have died.
Elmhurst staffers on the front lines are “doing a tremendous job with limited resources they have,” said City Councilman Francisco Moya. But because the hospital is “at a critical stage,” he said that “the relief has to be there for the doctors and nurses. And quickly.”