Rural Issue

Rural hospitals vulnerable during COVID-19 pandemic

It’s unclear how much pressure the coronavirus outbreak will put on the rural healthcare system.

National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan says its critical hospitals don’t get overburdened.

“With the limited capacity that most rural hospitals and rural health clinics have to be able to address this potential crisis, this is a great time to practice everything you’re hearing now in regards to washing your hands, social isolation.”

He tells Brownfield rural demographics are cause for alarm given what is known about COVID-19.

“Certainly with our nation’s ranchers and farmers who are just in that target population (of) 55, 65, 70 and older that we need to be concerned with.”

Morgan says rural hospitals and clinics have been preparing for an outbreak.  But he remains concerned about a lack of personal protection equipment and an inability to adequately respond to a surge in patients.