Utah Health Care Workers Describe Tragic, Difficult Conditions Treating NYC Coronavirus Patients

MURRAY, Utah – If a good life is truly about good experiences, then Whitney Hilton sure is doing it right.

“It was indescribable, honestly,” said Hilton. “It was the most shocking and rewarding and hard experience of my life.”

Hilton is a registered nurse with Intermountain Healthcare.

She was part of a team of medical workers who are now home in Utah after spending two weeks treating thousands of coronavirus patients in New York City.

“The shock of seeing patients lined up next to each other, that eventually does fade away. But what did not fade away was no one could prepare you for the death that you see,” said Hilton.

Though difficult, medical crews gained a lot of firsthand knowledge which will help here in Utah.

“I saw it in a community not much different than here. This disease can spread like wildfire, so let’s respect it,” said Dr. Dixie Harris with Intermountain Healthcare.

That was especially true as restrictions in Utah started to ease.

Medical staff members from @Intermountain are back in Utah after a 2-week voluntary assignment in New York City. We’ll be doing a story with them about their experiences for @KSL5TV. Here’s our story when they left https://t.co/U9lwMCd3hl pic.twitter.com/UG4hz648cQ

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) May 6, 2020

“I see communities and I see some groups who are moving too quickly and I think in a few weeks, sadly, we are going to see the consequences of that,” said Intermountain Dr. Harland Hayes.

Intermountain medical workers said their frontline experience will help them to be better prepared for any coronavirus surges in Utah.

Not just medically, but also in a human way, which Hilton realized when she saw family pictures of one of her patients.

“We still were reminded when we walked into his room every day that he was a person and that these people want him back and that he deserves that,” said Hilton.

Hilton also has a handwritten letter she received from musician Taylor Swift.

Swift saw a social media post of Hilton working and sent her that letter.

It’s great for morale, but also a sign even celebrities know who the true heroes are right now.

“I do think, in the end, we will know how to best take care of our patients, but we’re still learning,” Harris said.

Each medical worker who went to New York was tested here in Utah when they got back.

All of them tested negative for COVID-19 and were healthy.

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.