Health officials in California “are reaching their breaking point” in the fight against the novel coronavirus, USA Today reports.
What’s going on?
Health care workers from California told USA Today that the COVID-19 surge within the state has stretched nurses, doctors and others to their limits.
Erin McIntosh, who works as a rapid response nurse at Riverside Community Hospital southeast of Los Angeles, told USA Today:
- “I feel like someone at war, it’s chaotic all the time.”
- “Nurses do this because it’s their life’s work. But many are reaching their breaking point.”
- “People’s lives are on the line,” she said. “We’re taking more patients, we’re working more shifts, sometimes 24 hours at a time. But we can’t give 100% to everyone.”
California surge and stay-at-home order
California continues to face a widespread surge of the novel coronavirus. In fact, officials recently told The Los Angeles Times that Southern California has 0% capacity in its intensive care unit beds, causing widespread concern about how health officials will care for sick patients.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the stay-at-home order in the state will likely be extended into the new year as the state continues to fight a jump in COVID-19, according to SFGate.com.