Medical Reserve Corps Plays Vital
Roles During COVID-19 Pandemic
Since its inception almost two decades ago, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) of Dutchess County has played a critical role in protecting the residents of our community. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the MRC has stepped up like never before to prove its resiliency and its value to the people of Dutchess County.
Earlier this week, for example, MRC volunteers assembled some 1,000 face shields that will be distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, emergency services, public health, medical providers, and Dutchess County Government personnel who interact with the public. You can watch a video of the assembly below.
In addition to assembling Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution, MRC volunteers have fulfilled a wide range of tasks during the pandemic, including:
- staffing more than 230 shifts at Dutchess County’s Coronavirus Call Center (845-486-3555), totaling more than 1,000 hours;
- delivering groceries and/or medication to isolated residents, as part of the County’s “Dutchess Responds” initiative; to date
- “Dutchess Responds” receives an average of 11 inquiries for food and makes an average of 21 deliveries per day
- More than 340 households have received deliveries through “Dutchess Responds”
- assisting the Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) contact-trace and monitor hundreds of residents who may have been exposed to Coronavirus;
- training to staff Dutchess County’s COVID-19 Recovery Center at Dutchess Community College; and
- training to assist staff at the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The MRC of Dutchess County welcomes both medical and non-medical volunteers. Residents interested in joining the MRC of Dutchess County can register online.