Medical workers face mounting pressure, fatigue as pandemic rages on

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- Hospitalizations for COVID-19 across Maryland are reaching highs we haven't seen since early summer and with that surge comes a real strain on health care workers across the state.

"It's been nine months since we've been dealing with this," Dr. Veronica Quattrini with the University of Maryland School of nursing said.

Nine months of stress and fatigue Dr. Quattrini and her fellow nurses have tried to overcome as they work to save and treat those infected.

"We are going to have PTSD, there's no question," Quattrini said. "But right now all we're thinking about is how are we are going to go from day to day and week to week."

Taking things in small steps is how these frontline workers say they cope with the difficult path ahead.

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"It is difficult, but it's not hopeless," Neysa Ernst, a nurse manager at Johns Hopkins Hospital tells FOX45 News.

Ernst says while the growing number of COVID-19 patients has been trying, her team has been consistently up for the challenge.

"We are tired," Ernst said. "But we're also battle tested."

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While these teams of frontline workers have support amongst themselves and their organizations, the need for more workers remains high.

Last week, Governor Larry Hogan launched MarylandMedNow, a website where healthcare professionals and support staff can apply to assist with screening, testing, treatment and healthcare delivery required to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, more than 4,000 people have applied.

"To have someone come in with fresh eyes, a fresh perspective, is helpful in any industry," Dr. Ernst said.

The Governor has also given the go ahead for local colleges and universities to allow some medical students to graduate early to help on the front line.

Showing a dedication and a calling among those who are already giving up so much.

"There's a drive and a passion from people who have taken this on as their life's works," Dr. Reginald Brown with LifeBridge Health said. "This is certainly a different time but again this is what we were meant to do."