SPOKANE, Wash. — Coronavirus patients are still being cared for at the Sacred Heart Medical Center and officials have ensured the public there's no threat of the disease spreading. Much of that has to do with the equipment they use.
Christa Arguinchona is managing the Special Pathogens Unit who've been treating the patients under these circumstances for the first time at SHMC. She said the workers assisting the patients will be in an isolated room equipped with sanitary gear.
“A fluid impermeable gown, gloves and N-95 filtration mask with the face shield.”
The gear she’s talking about has been approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Similar equipment has been used overseas to contain outbreaks and the CDC has information on their website about different respirators that’ll be used while treating patients.
Aaron Ansel runs an air quality business called Puraka and says the mask alone is capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses.
It doesn’t fully eliminate airborne germs but filters do reduce the chance of them spreading.