The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data published mentions that 62,000 healthcare professionals in the US have tested positive for the coronavirus. According to CDC, the numbers are likely to be far higher.

CDC says of the healthcare workers tested positive it only has death data for 57% of them. According to the National Nurses United union 84% of US nurses have never been tested.

According to the latest update published, the CDC said 291 healthcare workers have died and there were 62,344 infections in the profession. This includes people who have died, recovered and are yet battling the coronavirus.

Healthcare workers say their colleagues are dying due to a shortage of personal protective equipment and this puts them at risk. Healthcare workers have vocally criticized the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) required to protect themselves.

A vast majority – 87% of the nurses who were surveyed by National Nurses United said, they had to reuse the single use PPE. Many used improvised measures like rain ponchos and garbage bags.

A program called “Project Airbridge” was created in order to fly PPE from Asian manufacturers to US hospital suppliers, but it started winding down, inspite of the persistent shortage. This program was designed by Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser.

As of 27th May morning, the US is nearing 100,000 deaths. More than 1.6 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the CDC.