SLO County has enough volunteers to staff coronavirus care site — for now
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department says it now has enough volunteers to staff the first phase of their alternative care site in the event of a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations.
But, county emergency services director Wade Horton told the community on Monday, “we still need your help.”
The Medical Reserve Corps is a network of volunteers that are called upon when additional emergency response is required, such as a surge of COVID-19 cases.
On March 25, when the county put a call out for medical reserve volunteers, about 40 people had signed up for the corps.
Now, the county has more than 200 volunteers to staff its coronavirus care site at the Cal Poly Recreation Center if local hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.
Horton said the county is hoping for the best case scenario but preparing for the worst — and officials expect a surge in COVID-19 cases in the weeks to come.
The Rec Center will be prepped to serve as an alternative care site by next Wednesday. The county is preparing 931 beds for the Rec Center, but will open the site in phases and only if hospitals in the area reach capacity.
The site will not be used for intensive care patients and will be primarily staffed by the corps.
The first phase will allow for 165 patients if needed. Horton said the county believe with the current volunteers, they will be adequately prepared. However, if more beds are needed, they will need more volunteers.
More than 200 volunteers have signed up for the Medical Reserve Corps, including EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement officers, physicians and nurses, according to Public Health Department information officer Michelle Shoresman.
Those volunteers also include family therapists, physical therapists, veterinarians, medical assistants and non-medical personnel, Shoresman said.
San Luis Obispo County is still seeking 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
The county is also asking that community members with experience in translating, sign language interpreting, and administration to apply for the corps, county public health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said March 25.
The county is looking for young and healthy individuals in particular to volunteer at this time.
“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.
To volunteer for the medical corps auxiliary, sign up at HealthcareVolunteers.ca.gov and then email the San Luis Obispo Medical Corps coordinator at slomrc@gmail.com, or go to ReadySLO.org.