KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Record numbers of daily COVID-19 cases have become commonplace and it’s having an impact on hospitals nationwide.
Early scenes of overcrowded hospitals in Europe and later New York City, combined with images of temporary morgues in trucks outside of hospitals, are impossible to wipe from our minds.
But the recent dramatic rise in cases throughout the U.S. is already leading to overcrowding of health care facilities in many parts of the country.
With overcrowding comes shortages of things like PPE, critical medications and staff — Physicians, nurses, housekeeping, all levels of front line workers, become fatigued and infected, which means quarantine and illness.
This is a major reason why social distancing and masks are so critical.