'We were saved by a lot of heroes': First responders credited for evolving COVID-19 care Lifesaving COVID-19 care and treatments have been a year in the making. Share Updated: 9:48 AM CST Mar 11, 2021 Lifesaving COVID-19 care and treatments have been a year in the making. Share Updated: 9:48 AM CST Mar 11, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript >> WE WERE SAVED BY A LOT OF HEROES. ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WHEN FACED WITH THE CHALLENGE, DIDN’T RUN AWAY, BUT RAN TOWARDS THE PROBLEM. JENNIFER: IN APRIL OF 2020, DAVID HAD UP TO 85 CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS IN CRITICAL CARE. TODAY, THERE ARE 2. THE RISE AND FALL OF COVID SURGES BATTLE TESTING HOSPITAL STAFF AGAIN AND AGAIN. THEY SHIFTED EARLY, FROM A VIRUS THEY COULDN’T FIGURE OUT FAST ENOUGH, TO TREATING THE SYMPTOMS COVID CAUSES. >> SICK LUNGS, SICK HEARTS, SICK KIDNEYS, ETC. WE’VE BEEN TAKING CARE OF THAT STUFF IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT FOR DECADES. WE KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THAT STUFF. JENNIFER: AT NEW ORLEANS EAST HOSPITAL, DOCTOR CANDACE ROBINSON SAYS THAT SHIFT SAVED LIVES. STARTING WITH THE MOVE AWAY FROM VENTILATORS, AND TOWARD LESS-INVASIVE OXYGEN THERAPIES >> ANECDOTALLY, I’VE ACTUALLY BEEN TOLD IT’S LIKE 80% THAT ONCE THEY GOT VENTILATED THEY ALMOST DIDN’T COME OFF THE VENT. SO WE’VE PIVOTED TO RESERVING MECHANICAL VENTILLATION FOR OUR WORST CASE SCENARIOS. JENNIFER: THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MANY MEDICINES MAKING HEADLINES, BUT THEN FAILING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, UNTIL TODAY. INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST SANDRA KEMMERLY WITH OCHSNER SAYS THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE, IS THE CURE FOR ESCAPING THIS PANDEMIC. >> THE PARADIGM SHIFT FOR ME IS I KNOW VIEW COVID AS A VACCINE PREVENTABLE ILLNESS. SO AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED, HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF BURDEN THAN MORTALITIES WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH COVID. MY HOPE IS WE CAN BE MORE AT A NORMAL PLACE FROM A LIFE STANDPOINT. JENNIFER: A HOPE SHARED BY ALL OF THESE HEALTH CARE HEROES FIGHTING COVID ON THE FRONT LINE. JENNIFER: THE DOCTORS TELL ME MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE TESTING IS ALSO LIFE-SAVING BECAUSE IT GIVES COVID PATIENTS CARE FASTER