Coronavirus: US nurses told to reuse masks as Pence asks construction companies to donate

The vice president has urged construction companies to ease the burden on hospitals

Vice president Mike Pence has asked construction companies to donate masks to hospitals after nurses reveal they are being told to reuse them.

Executive Director of National Nurses United, Bonnie Castillo told CBS News that hospitals are struggling, amid a lack of masks available.

"Nurses are being asked to actually reuse masks, including surgical masks, which provide no protection," she said.

Ms Castillo revealed that the shortage was due to a lack of N-95 masks, despite the government advising that looser options could be used.

"And as more get sick and have exposure, we get sidelined, and then who's there to take care of the patients?" Added Ms Castillo.

Today, Mr Pence asked construction companies to donate N95 masks to hospitals to help ease the load on nurses and doctors, amid the crisis.

"We would make one specific request, and that is we would urge construction companies to donate their inventory of N95 masks to your local hospital and forego additional orders of those industrial masks," Mr Pence said.

"Those industrial masks that they use on construction sites are perfectly acceptable for healthcare workers to be protected from a respiratory disease."

The vice president referenced president Trump's background in property when asking construction companies to donate masks.

"We're asking construction companies that our President knows very well from his background, we're asking them to donate to their local hospitals and also forego making additional orders."

Pence also announced that a new public service campaign using CDC guidelines will be unveiled soon, after speaking to leaders of broadcast networks.

In the US 4,461 cases of the disease and 85 deaths have been recorded so far.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended a two-week ban on gatherings of more than 50 people as part of the battle to contain the spread of the contagion.