200 Connecticut Nurses Exposed To Coronavirus Sidelined Due To Lack Of Testing

Some 200 nurses at one hospital in Connecticut are in isolation and unable to do their jobs because they cant get tested for the coronavirus , the states Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said on MSNBC Monday.

I can tell you Danbury Hospital is already at capacity, and they have 200 nurses who are on furlough because they were in contact [with someone who tested positive for COVID-19], Lamont told host Chris Hayes .

If I could test those nurses, I could potentially get them back into the game a lot sooner, he said.

Hayes had asked Lamont earlier what resources the state which has 26 reported cases would need to alleviate pressure on its hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units. The news anchor appeared stunned by the governors response.

Wait a second, Hayes said. Youve got 200 nurses sitting on the sidelines right now who cant get back to work because they cant be tested to confirm whether or not they have the virus?

Exactly, Lamont said. We got a surge in use, demand is going up and Im losing nurses by the day who have to furlough themselves for a period of time.

Thats a priority for testing for me, he added. Our testing capacity is going up, but its going up very incrementally and thats dangerous.

Hospital representatives did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. The 371-bed hospital did appear to reassure people on Twitter, however:

We have capacity at Danbury Hospital to treat illness and injury including COVID-19. We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Specimen collections from pre-screened individuals for those that meet criteria will continue.

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We have capacity at Danbury Hospital to treat illness and injury including COVID-19. We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Specimen collections from pre-screened individuals for those that meet criteria will continue.
Danbury Hospital (@DanburyHospital) March 17, 2020

President Donald Trump s administration has been widely criticized for its response to the pandemic. But Trump on Friday declined to be held accountable for testing shortages.

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I dont take responsibility at all, he said.

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