PRESS RELEASE: SAMARITAN’S PURSE DISCHARGES FINAL CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS FROM ITALY FIELD HOSPITAL
More Than 280 Patients Received Critical Medical Care in Partnership with Cremona Hospital
Sydney, May 11, 2020— Samaritan’s Purse was one of the first international organisations to provide emergency relief to Northern Italy after the Lombardy region became the global epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in partnership with Cremona Hospital, the Christian relief organisation has discharged the final coronavirus patients from its Emergency Field Hospital and the five Australian medical professionals who were serving in Italy have now returned to quarantine in Australia.
In collaboration with the Cremona Hospital, Samaritan’s Purse is closing the mobile unit. This is an answer to prayer because it means the local healthcare system will be able to meet the needs of the community and the added capacity is no longer necessary.
The 68-bed hospital, specialized as a respiratory care unit, provided much-needed supplementary medical care as Cremona Hospital became overwhelmed by the surge of coronavirus patients. Since beginning operations on March 20, Samaritan’s Purse medical personnel have treated more than 280 patients at the field hospital—filling the intensive care unit within the first 24 hours.
Samaritan’s Purse originally airlifted the Emergency Field Hospital along with 34 tonnes of additional medical supplies to Cremona, Italy on March 17. Throughout the response, a team of 105 disaster response specialists provided critical medical care while reminding patients that they are not alone or forgotten.
“Thank you so much to the nurses because they give me the strength to overcome this disease, to overcome this pain and to overcome this awful situation,” patient Angelo Lorandi said. “Thank you from the deepest of my heart.”
Samaritan’s Purse opened a nearly identical field hospital in New York City’s Central Park after the city was overwhelmed by the virus. In just over one month of operation, the mobile hospital treated more than 190 patients in partnership with Mount Sinai Health System.
Media Opportunities
Media Kit: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/media/covid19-italy-response-press-kit/#b-roll
• Interviews – Dan Stephens Samaritan’s Purse Australia and New Zealand Disaster Response Manager
Media Contact: Nikita Kumar – [email protected]
Samaritan’s Purse Australia and New Zealand responds to physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations–especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.au
