Fayetteville Today

Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit North Carolina, medical professionals are risking their safety while fighting to save the lives of patients who have the most severe cases.

Cape Fear Health's chief nursing officer, Susan Dees, recently spoke with ABC 11 about dealing with the coronavirus while working at a medical facility.

Since the time of her interview, North Carolina COVID-19 positive cases have climbed to 763 as of March 27, with eight in Cumberland County. The state has completed 15,136 tests and there are three coronavirus-related deaths.

Managing more than 1,000 nurses, Dees said she has never experienced a virus as frightening as COVID-19 in her almost 30-year career.

“Not knowing exactly what it is and how it's spreading and what we can do to stop it. Every day is something different," Dees told ABC 11 for its March 24 report.

As with any outbreak, updated information is key. Cape Fear Health holds daily meetings to brief the nurses about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent guidelines, which are rapidly evolving, as well as taking measures to protect those in the hospitals.

Another stressor in addition to the highly-aggressive virus is the fear that nurses and medical staff will not have the protection that they need. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has received thousands of mask donations, which will ensure those who are most needed are protected while attending to patients.

"They are one of our greatest commodity,” Dees said. “I mean, we have to make sure that they're here and they're coming. Every day, they come in and give it their all.”

Dees said that since the diagnosis of the first patient on March 23, officials have been able to learn more about the virus, the signs of COVID-19 and what measures need to be taken before the hospital becomes flooded with more cases.