Flagstaff Medical Center Continues To Stay Prepared During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Flagstaff Medical Center is seeing its share of patients regarding the coronavirus pandemic. As of Thursday morning, FMC has 42 COVID-19 positive patients with 30 patients waiting for test results. The good news is the hospital’s capacity is less than half full. Flagstaff Medical Center Chief Administration Officer Josh Trinkle said Thursday afternoon that gowns remain in short supply. He says they have about a week’s worth left, but are hoping to get more in soon. As for masks, they are cleaning and sanitizing N95 masks and reusing them until they can’t any longer. One problem with supplies is the cost. Northern Arizona Healthcare CEO Flo Spyrow says the suppliers know the demand is high, so prices have gone up. She says “the N95 mask was once 69-cents apiece and now we are paying eight dollars a mask.” Spyrow says surgical gowns were 50-cents a gown and now they are five-dollars apiece. Hospital officials remind residents to follow the CDC guidelines and stay home as much as you can.