Health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in Yonkers say they're fighting for their own lives.

Nurses from St. Joseph’s Medical Center and St. John’s Riverside Hospital gathered to protest what they say is a lack of enough personal protective equipment.

"Yonkers has the most confirmed cases in Westchester County, we need your help, and we need it now," says Karen Costa, a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s.

She says she has resorted to wearing her daughter's high school graduation gown because there aren't enough medical ones to go around.

"I’m wearing a contaminated gown from room to room to room,” she says.

Officials at St. John’s Hospital say the most important priority is the safety of their physicians, nurses and staff who take care of their patients.

The hospital released a statement saying in part, “St. John’s has worked tirelessly to search, purchase and supply its staff with appropriate PPE.”

Each employee in a patient-facing position has been issued three N95 masks and three surgical masks per week, gowns and gloves and washable shields.
       
Liya Robin is a nurse at St. John’s and says the hospital needs more PPE now

"I've been taking care of COVID-19 positive patients with the same N95 for days,” she says.

On Monday, Yonkers officials announced they are increasing the number of critical care workers, and now have the equipment to split lifesaving ventilators for coronavirus patients if needed.