The United States of America (USA) has gone cap in hand to seek medical assistance from foreign nationals as the country battle rising cases of Coronavirus.
Specifically, the US is appealing to foreign medical professionals to apply for its visa to come and join the fight against COVID-19.
In a document titled: Update on H and J Visas for Medical Professionals, last updated on March 26, the US government says; “we encourage medical professionals seeking to work in the United States on a work or exchange visitor, particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19, to reach out to the nearest embassy or consulate to request a visa appointment.”
The U.S. is now the coronavirus infection capital of the world, after surpassing China and Italy last night, with 85,991 confirmed cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19 were encouraged to reach out to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request a visa appointment, the statement added.
The State Department also urged foreign medical professionals already in the U.S. to take necessary steps to extend their stay.
“J-1 Alien Physicians (medical residents) may consult with their program sponsor, ECFMG, to extend their programs in the United States … Note that the expiration date on a U.S. visa does not determine how long one can be in the United States,” the statement said.
The data by Johns Hopkins shows the U.S. is followed by China with 81,782 cases and Italy with 80,589.
The worldwide total since last December has surpassed 532,000, which includes over 24,000 deaths and more than 122,000 recoveries.
