This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
COVID-19 Devastates Vulnerable Border Community ¶
EDINBURG, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley, a community on the US-Mexico border, is facing a dire situation as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread rapidly.
According to public health officials, the region has seen a sharp increase in infections, with over 10,000 active cases and hospitalizations doubling within two weeks.
Dr. Renzo Arauco Brown, a critical care physician, described the situation as 'a time bomb' due to the high rates of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the community.
Down the hall, a nurse pulled a cushion out from under the head of a 39-year-old woman and found it covered with blood. Dr. Brown rushed over and ordered medication to paralyze the woman in hopes it would fix the problem.
As the pandemic continues to spread, the community is facing a severe shortage of hospital beds, with some patients waiting over a day to be transferred to an intensive care unit.
Public health officers estimate that hospitalizations could double within two weeks, but with every hospital nearby also full, it is unclear where the patients will go.
On Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott announced that a surge of funding, medical workers, and supplies would be sent to healthcare facilities in the area.
However, hospital administrators say that they have been doing everything in their power to keep their main hospital largely free of the coronavirus, treating patients with serious, unrelated conditions and some elective procedures.
Despite their efforts, the community is still struggling to cope with the pandemic, with many residents avoiding healthcare due to fear of bills or jeopardizing their immigration status.
Even the babies in the Rio Grande Valley are particularly vulnerable, with high rates of diabetes among pregnant women making it difficult for lungs to develop in the uterus.
One expectant mother, Marisa Ponce, was expecting twin girls but contracted the virus during her pregnancy. She was forced to give birth alone, surrounded by clinicians in protective gear.
Another expectant mother, Kimberly Muñoz, labored alone, her cellphone flashing with messages from family members who were eager for news.
As the pandemic continues to spread, the community is facing a dire situation, with no end in sight.
