September 18, 2020 – U.S. hospitals expect to be better prepared if a second wave of Covid-19 cases hits in coming months, doctors and administrators say, after gaining a better understanding how to triage patients, which drugs to use and what supplies are needed.
Since the start of the pandemic, doctors say, they have developed a better understanding of who needs a ventilator and how quickly a patient can be discharged, and studies have pointed to a few drugs like the antiviral remdesivir and the steroid dexamethasone that can help, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Hospitals say they are stockpiling masks, other protective equipment and Covid-19 drugs to meet any surge in demand should cases pick up.
The spring “was ultimately baptism by fire,” said Donald Landry, physician in chief of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Now “we understand the illness; we have a variety of treatments.”
“Obviously this can get out of control—we don’t have a magic bullet for it yet—but your prospects are actually…”