FEMA Medics Will Cover Absent Saint Francis Staff: Report

HARTFORD, CT — To fill in the gaps created by staff members out sick with COVID-19, 20 U.S. military personnel have arrived in Hartford to care for patients at Saint Francis Hospital, the Hartford Courant reported.

The medical relief unit is made up of Air Force nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians and other medical workers — all of whom will stay in Connecticut for 30 days, according to the Courant.

They will fill in for the roughly 50-60 Saint Francis workers who are out sick from COVID-19, Vernette Townsend, the hospital's chief nursing officer, told the Courant.

The workers were greeted with cheers when they arrived at the hospital, said the Courant, which posted photos of the welcome ceremony on its website.

Read more from the Hartford Courant.