SLO County needs healthcare volunteers for a coronavirus surge. Here’s how you can help

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Luis Obispo County has risen to 46 in 11 days, and San Luis Obispo County is preparing for a surge by seeking the community’s help.

The county has ordered 100 additional respirators, has made plans for 1,000 additional hospital beds and has coordinated a space with Cal Poly to serve as an alternative care site.

Now, emergency planners are looking for additional healthcare providers to sign up for the Medical Reserve Corps.

“We’re a little bit concerned that the medical staffing and all the ancillary staffing may be our limiting factor in taking care of folks who need a level of care outside of their home,” County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said at a Wednesday news briefing.

The Medical Reserve Corps is a group of volunteers, made up of medical and mental health professionals, who may be retired or currently employed, according to a county news release. But the county is also asking non-medical professionals to apply.

Here is who can sign up

Borenstein said “basically everyone” is encouraged to sign up for the reserve corps if they are able.

“We need as many people as possible to step forward at this time to help our hospitals and other healthcare facilities respond to the forthcoming surge of our ill family members, neighbors and community residents,” Borenstein said in a news release.

The county is currently seeking to line up volunteers from the following professions:

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Paramedics
• EMTs
• Licensed therapists
• Social workers
• Certified addiction providers
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Veterinarians
• Respiratory therapists
• Physical therapists

They are also asking that community members with experience in translating, sign language interpreting, and administration apply, Borenstein said.

“As you can hear, we are particularly looking for you,” Borenstein added after reading off the list of needed volunteers.

Borenstein said the county is looking for young and healthy individuals in particular to volunteer at this time. She also said people who are currently working and those who already have jobs in the medical field should consider applying.

“We in the medical world are used to during our training, and for many ongoing through our careers, we are used to working many hours, and I implore those who are continuing to put in eight-hour days to perhaps make themselves available to work 12-hour days or a 16-hour day,” Borenstein said.

The reserve will only be activated if full capacity is reached at hospitals and the alternative care site must be used.

The medical reserve currently has 41 members, according to the public health department. And Borenstein said the county is “looking to dramatically expand so that should we need it for our alternate care site, we will have the staffing resources to go along with the medical material.”

To volunteer, visit ReadySLO.org.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 6:11 PM.