'Their Grandmother Left by Ambulance. Then They Could Not Find Her.' diff viewer (10/11)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on April 07, 2020 22:06 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/nyregion/jamaica-hospital-queens-maria-correa-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Version 10	Version 11
Their Grandmother Left by Ambulance. Then They Could Not Find Her.	Their Grandmother Left by Ambulance. Then They Could Not Find Her.
2020-06-24 16:44:42 UTC	2020-07-02 21:30:53 UTC (8 days later)
The emergency medical technicians who rushed into Maria Correa’s room in protective gear found a pulse. They told the family in Queens that they were taking her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, one of many health care facilities in New York City overwhelmed by the coronavirus outbreak.	The emergency medical technicians who rushed into Maria Correa’s room in protective gear found a pulse. They told the family in Queens that they were taking her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, one of many health care facilities in New York City overwhelmed by the coronavirus outbreak.
But when her family called the hospital the next day to check on her condition, they were told she was not there.	But when her family called the hospital the next day to check on her condition, they were told she was not there.
For a week, family members called the fire department, other hospital offices and the emergency medical service that had picked her up, near death, from her home in Woodhaven on the last Monday in March.	For a week, family members called the fire department, other hospital offices and the emergency medical service that had picked her up, near death, from her home in Woodhaven on the last Monday in March.
But Ms. Correa, 73, was nowhere to be found.	But Ms. Correa, 73, was nowhere to be found.
The family’s plight starkly illustrated how the coronavirus pandemic has stressed the city’s hospitals and emergency response system in ways never seen before, further stretching an already-taxed health care system. Calls to 911 are pouring in at record numbers. Hospitals are running out of masks, doctors and nurses are getting sick and normal standards of care are giving way to triage strategies more akin to a war zone than a cosmopolitan city.	The family’s plight starkly illustrated how the coronavirus pandemic has stressed the city’s hospitals and emergency response system in ways never seen before, further stretching an already-taxed health care system. Calls to 911 are pouring in at record numbers. Hospitals are running out of masks, doctors and nurses are getting sick and normal standards of care are giving way to triage strategies more akin to a war zone than a cosmopolitan city.
The blunt impact of such shortages has fallen on families like Ms. Correa’s, who have struggled to navigate a system in crisis. Queens has been the hardest-hit borough, with more than 23,000 positive cases — nearly 5,000 more than the next-highest count, in Brooklyn, as of Monday evening.	The blunt impact of such shortages has fallen on families like Ms. Correa’s, who have struggled to navigate a system in crisis. Queens has been the hardest-hit borough, with more than 23,000 positive cases — nearly 5,000 more than the next-highest count, in Brooklyn, as of Monday evening.
Ms. Correa’s disappearance began with a 911 call placed on March 30, just after 3 p.m., according to records of the 911 call provided by the family.	Ms. Correa’s disappearance began with a 911 call placed on March 30, just after 3 p.m., according to records of the 911 call provided by the family.
They had already been grieving. The week before, Ms. Correa’s daughter-in-law had died in the same house, falling into a diabetic shock after suffering for a week with vomiting and exhaustion. She had not been tested for the coronavirus, but the family suspected that she had it.	They had already been grieving. The week before, Ms. Correa’s daughter-in-law had died in the same house, falling into a diabetic shock after suffering for a week with vomiting and exhaustion. She had not been tested for the coronavirus, but the family suspected that she had it.
Now, all five members of the household felt ill. Ms. Correa had developed a cough that morning. She was a diabetic and a cancer survivor, and her condition was rapidly worsening.	Now, all five members of the household felt ill. Ms. Correa had developed a cough that morning. She was a diabetic and a cancer survivor, and her condition was rapidly worsening.
Julian Escobar, Ms. Correa’s son, was in a state of shock, said his stepdaughter, Janeth Solis. He had lost his wife the week before. Now he was losing his mother. In order to identify her, Mr. Escobar had given the emergency workers his own name and a medicine bottle with his mother’s name on it before they took her away, Ms. Solis said.	Julian Escobar, Ms. Correa’s son, was in a state of shock, said his stepdaughter, Janeth Solis. He had lost his wife the week before. Now he was losing his mother. In order to identify her, Mr. Escobar had given the emergency workers his own name and a medicine bottle with his mother’s name on it before they took her away, Ms. Solis said.
“I believe she passed away,” said Ms. Solis, who led the family’s increasingly frantic search for Ms. Correa from her bedroom in the Bronx, where she was isolated with coronavirus-like symptoms. “But where?”	“I believe she passed away,” said Ms. Solis, who led the family’s increasingly frantic search for Ms. Correa from her bedroom in the Bronx, where she was isolated with coronavirus-like symptoms. “But where?”
She added: “If she went to Jamaica Hospital, don’t they have cameras who show who goes in and out? Isn’t there paperwork to show when she arrived?”	She added: “If she went to Jamaica Hospital, don’t they have cameras who show who goes in and out? Isn’t there paperwork to show when she arrived?”
Hoping for help, Ms. Solis reached out last week to The New York Times, which contacted Jamaica Hospital on her behalf on Monday morning.	Hoping for help, Ms. Solis reached out last week to The New York Times, which contacted Jamaica Hospital on her behalf on Monday morning.
The hospital said in a statement to The Times on Monday that it could not find a patient with Ms. Correa’s name or birth date: May 12, 1946. The hospital declined to comment further, citing medical information privacy laws.	The hospital said in a statement to The Times on Monday that it could not find a patient with Ms. Correa’s name or birth date: May 12, 1946. The hospital declined to comment further, citing medical information privacy laws.
The suffering at Ms. Correa’s compact, three-story house in Woodhaven started in late March. Amparo Holguin, Ms. Solis’s mother who also lived there, had felt sick for about a week with gastrointestinal symptoms. She went to an urgent care facility, where, despite her elevated heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, a doctor gave her a diagnosis of simple gastroenteritis and prescribed antibiotics, according to paperwork from that visit. There was no mention of coronavirus.	The suffering at Ms. Correa’s compact, three-story house in Woodhaven started in late March. Amparo Holguin, Ms. Solis’s mother who also lived there, had felt sick for about a week with gastrointestinal symptoms. She went to an urgent care facility, where, despite her elevated heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, a doctor gave her a diagnosis of simple gastroenteritis and prescribed antibiotics, according to paperwork from that visit. There was no mention of coronavirus.
By the following afternoon, March 24, Ms. Holguin, also a diabetic, could not recognize family members. She was talking about “God and gibberish,” Ms. Solis said. She was breathing heavily, so they made a pot of steam to ease her airways. Then her blood sugar spiked and she collapsed in the living room.	By the following afternoon, March 24, Ms. Holguin, also a diabetic, could not recognize family members. She was talking about “God and gibberish,” Ms. Solis said. She was breathing heavily, so they made a pot of steam to ease her airways. Then her blood sugar spiked and she collapsed in the living room.
Ms. Solis, 49, was instructed by a 911 dispatcher to give her mother CPR as they waited for an ambulance. Ms. Holguin could not be revived. Her body lay in the living room until 11 p.m. that night, Ms. Solis said, when they were lucky enough to find a funeral home to take her away.	Ms. Solis, 49, was instructed by a 911 dispatcher to give her mother CPR as they waited for an ambulance. Ms. Holguin could not be revived. Her body lay in the living room until 11 p.m. that night, Ms. Solis said, when they were lucky enough to find a funeral home to take her away.
Two days later, Ms. Solis developed chills and was convinced it was Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Still, the family decided to hold a small funeral for Ms. Holguin on that Saturday. People gathered in groups of less than 10 at a funeral home, maintaining physical distance and wearing masks. Amid the crisis, they felt blessed that the funeral home had let them use the room for an hour.	Two days later, Ms. Solis developed chills and was convinced it was Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Still, the family decided to hold a small funeral for Ms. Holguin on that Saturday. People gathered in groups of less than 10 at a funeral home, maintaining physical distance and wearing masks. Amid the crisis, they felt blessed that the funeral home had let them use the room for an hour.
By then Ms. Correa had also started feeling sick. She developed a cough during the morning on March 30, and Ms. Solis’s aunt went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for her. When the aunt opened her bedroom door that afternoon, Ms. Correa was not responding.	By then Ms. Correa had also started feeling sick. She developed a cough during the morning on March 30, and Ms. Solis’s aunt went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for her. When the aunt opened her bedroom door that afternoon, Ms. Correa was not responding.
The ambulance arrived quickly, and technicians were able to detect a pulse. “Let’s hope for the best,” one of the paramedics said, according to Ms. Solis, adding they were headed to Jamaica Hospital.	The ambulance arrived quickly, and technicians were able to detect a pulse. “Let’s hope for the best,” one of the paramedics said, according to Ms. Solis, adding they were headed to Jamaica Hospital.
The next day, when Jamaica Hospital said no one under the name of Maria Correa was there, the family was shocked. Ms. Solis said she circled back with the emergency medical service, which insisted that the ambulance had gone to Jamaica and had not been diverted.	The next day, when Jamaica Hospital said no one under the name of Maria Correa was there, the family was shocked. Ms. Solis said she circled back with the emergency medical service, which insisted that the ambulance had gone to Jamaica and had not been diverted.
After days of calls, a man in the hospital admissions office said that no unidentified patients at the hospital matched Ms. Correa’s description, Ms. Solis said. He advised her to call other hospitals in Queens.	After days of calls, a man in the hospital admissions office said that no unidentified patients at the hospital matched Ms. Correa’s description, Ms. Solis said. He advised her to call other hospitals in Queens.
Ms. Solis and a friend started calling around, at one point involving the office of a City Council member, Adrienne Adams. They made a missing persons flyer with her picture and posted it on social media, reminiscent of the fliers that were posted around the city after Sept. 11.	Ms. Solis and a friend started calling around, at one point involving the office of a City Council member, Adrienne Adams. They made a missing persons flyer with her picture and posted it on social media, reminiscent of the fliers that were posted around the city after Sept. 11.
“If you work at a hospital and have seen Maria, please call or message me ASAP,” it said. “Family is distraught.”	“If you work at a hospital and have seen Maria, please call or message me ASAP,” it said. “Family is distraught.”
The family assumed Ms. Correa, a mother of four and grandmother of 10 who emigrated from Colombia about 20 years ago, had died. But without the body, there could be no closure.	The family assumed Ms. Correa, a mother of four and grandmother of 10 who emigrated from Colombia about 20 years ago, had died. But without the body, there could be no closure.
~~Updated June ~~24,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 30, 2020
	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.