A team of military medical experts filed through a crowd of cheering employees at Newark’s University Hospital Thursday morning. Hospital workers gathered to show their gratitude to the 25 members of the military deployed to assist the beleaguered staff. “We’re all elated. It’s like a breath of fresh air. It’s like a sigh of relief that we’re going to get through this current surge and that we’re going to see the other side of this pandemic!” one staffer said.
This is the second time during this pandemic that University Hospital has received military assistance. In spring 2020 during the first deadly wave of COVID-19, another military team helped rally overwhelmed employees. This time, the omicron surge has sent hundreds of University staff home sick. Close to 300 — about 10% — remain out. The military team, which include doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists, will work in the emergency room and ICUs.
