Marco Vergano is a critical care physician and anaesthesiologist specializing in the treatment of the most severe coronavirus patients requiring artificial respiration at San Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin. In recent weeks, Dr. Vergano has reported to several newspapers and news channels about the situation in Italy. The doctor now sends a message to Hungarians: Hungary might be one step ahead because the strict measures had been introduced here in an earlier phase of the epidemic, but if we do not comply with them we can expect the same to happen as in Italy.
News site Index had previously reached Dr. Vergano, who told the portal that the number of patients in need of care was growing rapidly.
The Italian doctor had also sent a message to the Hungarian people: to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
“It is not panic-mongering that’s happening. The preventive measures are obviously unpopular, and it is not their goal, but if these measures generate panic, that doesn’t matter. Then it is a necessary panic,” he said.
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In the meantime, the news portal was able to talk to the doctor again.
Vergano revealed the number of coronavirus patients in the intensive care unit had risen from 200 to 350 in the Turin hospital over the past week. “In our hospital, half of the beds are used by coronavirus patients; there is only one ward for acute patients, such as those treated for myocardial infarction.”
The doctor also pointed out that many deceased patients are no longer being tested for coronavirus because the system is so overwhelmed, thus the number of coronavirus-related deaths might be higher than the numbers show.
In Northern Italy, not just the hospitals are on the verge of collapse, but also the ambulance services.
“We have not yet reached the limit of our capacity, we now have 350 patients in need of intensive care, but we are making new beds available every day. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to keep up with the growing number of patients, and we might reach the point where the hospital becomes full, says Dr. Vergano.
“Because it’s not just about getting additional breathing machines and beds, because we can’t put expert staff next to the beds. There won’t be other doctors and nurses. Most countries are just starting to realize if they do not take drastic measures now, they might reach a point when there are 30 patients to only one bed.”
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According to the doctor, Hungary might be one step ahead because the strict measures had been introduced in a previous phase of the epidemic, but if we do not comply with them we can expect the same to happen as in Italy.
“These are extremely unpopular measures and difficult for people to accept. And if you don’t see people dying with your own eyes, you won’t even believe what’s going on, “says Dr. Vergano.
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