SLO nurses plan vigil as 15 healthcare workers test positive for coronavirus

Nurses at French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo are planning a candlelight vigil in protest of a lack of personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks.

The vigil will be held 8 p.m. Thursday at the San Luis Obispo County courthouse.

The vigil will be held on the same day that San Luis Obispo County county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein announced that 15 of the 89 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in San Luis Obispo County are healthcare employees.

Borenstein said the healthcare employees who have COVID-19 include workers at hospitals and clinics, as well as emergency services providers.

The local coronavirus cases also include non-medical healthcare employees.

In response to the planned vigil, Borenstein said she was unaware of any shortages as the county has been for the most part able to meet personal protective equipment (PPE) demand of those who are directly dealing with coronavirus.

Borenstein said it is up to each hospital to reach out to the county to request supplies.

Despite a countywide shelter-at-home order, the nurses, who work for Dignity Health, are asking all Central Coast registered nurses to join them at the vigil.

“We DEMAND that French Hospital (and ALL HOSPITALS) provide maximum PPE to all nurses, doctors and support staff, including N-95 or better masks,” a flier announcing the flier read. “We mourn the lives of healthcare workers who’ve died caring for patients.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 5:42 PM.