Medical masks are made in China. Nasal swabs are made in Italy. Both are places hit hard by COVID-19. As WXXI’s Brett Dahlberg reports, local doctors are trying to avoid running out of critical supplies as the epidemic intensifies in Rochester.
As the number of COVID-19 cases grows in western New York and the Finger Lakes, the supply of protective gear for medical workers is dwindling.
In particular, N95 masks, which health care workers use to protect themselves against the virus in close clinical settings, are running low.
Doctors and administrators at local health care systems have been quick to temper concerns, saying there is not an immediate crisis, but they are worried about running out of important equipment before supplies can be replenished.