New York nurse contracts coronavirus after working in trash bag: dies a week later

In New York, hospitals are overwhelmed by the Covid-19 cases which are pouring in every day. In some establishments, medical equipment is running out for staff in contact with patients, who are forced to find alternatives to protect themselves from the virus.

On Monday, nurses at Mount Sinai West Hospital Center posted a photo on Facebook that quickly went viral on social media and shocked more than one internet user. The photo shows three members of the nursing staff dressed in a garbage bag, over their work clothes.

"No more gowns throughout the hospital. No more masks either, so we reuse over and over again the ones we have", is it written in the caption of the photo. Nurses do not understand how such a situation is possible in New York: "Our hospital is located in the heart of one of the largest cities in the world. If we are faced with this terrible situation, I cannot imagine how it can be elsewhere".

According to these nurses, this lack of equipment has also cost the life of one of their colleagues. Kious Kelly, a 48-year-old nurse, contracted the coronavirus after being in contact with infected patients and then died of the virus, a week after being admitted to a care unit at his hospital. For the other members of the nursing staff at Mount Sinai West in New York, some of whom also tested positive for Covid-19, the establishment is responsible for the death of Kious Kelly, who was in good health before contracting the virus. "He did not deserve this. The hospital will have his death on their conscience," said an employee of the hospital center.

But for the hospital spokesperson, the doctors and nurses are sufficiently equipped and protected. “We are deeply saddened by the death of a member of our nursing staff. The safety of our staff has never been more important and we are taking all necessary precautions to protect everyone,” he explained, regretting the loss of "a hero".