MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – One year ago today, the lawn was empty at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Alamo Park. Today, flags fill the green lawn.
On Friday, 5,200 blue flags were placed at Jackson Memorial Hospital to honor the patients who survived COVID-19 and walked out of the hospital, and 1,000 white flags were placed for those who lost their fight against the virus.
At the ceremony, they commemorated the healthcare heroes who have fought against COVID-19 for over 365 days with a moment of silence and prayer.
″It’s a huge milestone,” says Dr. David J. De La Zerda. “I’d never imagined a year later still having patients.”
“It’s amazing we’ve been at this thing for 365 days,” says Jackson Health CEO Carlos Migoya.
One year ago today, the first positive patient stepped into the hospital. Ever since that moment, Jackson Memorial Hospital has been at the forefront of the COVID battle.
Now, Jackson Memorial Hospital is part of the first group of five hospitals in the state to get vaccines for workers.
″It’s been very hard for everybody,” says Paula Weisburg, who is an infection preventionist at Jackson Memorial Hospital. According to Weinsburg, it’s emotional to see the flags in the ground, but she is encouraged by the progress Jackson Memorial Hospital has made.
”It’s amazing how we have evolved, and amazing what we’ve done with COVID-19,” she says. “All of our survivors, and all of our success stories.”