Braving the COVID-19 Pandemic

摘要

I peeked at the clock as it struck 10:55 AM —just 5 minutes until we would be free from further admissions. I could identify only one patient on the emergency department’s census who looked unwell enough to be hospitalized: a young man with the most convincing story for a COVID-19 diagnosis. He had a non-productive cough, fevers, lymphopenia, dyspnea upon exertion with associated hypoxemia, and recent travelwithfriendswhowereconfirmedtohaveCOVID- 19. The hospitalists had been caring for these patients thus far, though rumors had been circulating that their teams were full, and the resident teams would be up next. It was barely before 11:00 when my pager went off. ‘‘Call the ER for admission of 31 y/o M with dyspnea, concerning for COVID-19.’’ My heart sank.