And continuing our COVID-19 coverage, the United States is preparing for the most COVID deaths this week. According to the Washington Post, Ttday the US reported more than 1,800 coronavirus-related fatalities, a new one-day high, with some states still to release their totals.
Belizean American doctor Sergio Garcia, Dr. Sergio Garcia, a critical care specialist with en emphasis in pulmonary medicine is on the frontline of that war in Oklahoma. This weekend via video call, he told us how he has been handling all the trauma and loss associated with the corona virus:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"How do you handle the tough emotional part of it for the families of the deceased?"
Dr. Sergio Garcia, Interventional Pulmonary Specialist, Oklahoma USA
"It's never easy. One of my specialties is critical care, so deal with it often enough and it's never easy. Every time it is tough, but it's going to be tough when it comes in such quick numbers and you already starting to see the emotional wear and tear on some people and part of the problem too is that we are at great risk too. Prepare yourself, cover yourself, clean, wipe everything, be very meticulous about stuff."
Dr. Garcia also told us about the prospects for patients who are placed on ventilators. He said that even without corona complications, the chances of survival are not high:
Dr. Sergio Garcia
"In regards to ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) that you can develop from any inflammatory process that triggers this cascading inflation that affects the lungs. It is from an independent cause prior to this virus, it's about 60% by itself, not including whatever factors you may want to add. By itself it's about 60% mortal. 3 out every 5 people you put on a vent, 4 ARDS are going to die. By itself its a bad thing, but it's not by itself. Usually there is something else. Recovery process technically ARDS patients, if you survive it all, after a year, it can take up to a year - over 90% of your lungs can recover typically."
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