The variety of veterans who’ve have examined optimistic for coronavirus has elevated from 204 on Monday to 296 confirmed circumstances on Tuesday. Reported deaths additionally inched up from two on Monday, to 4 on Tuesday.

The uptick comes because the U.S. Division of Veteran Affairs braces for an inflow of sufferers, and asks for extra well being care employees to employees medical services.

The division has referred to as out to retired VA and federal well being care employees on Twitter and Fb, to reapply for medical jobs: “WE NEED YOU! Assist us within the battle in opposition to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemplate #VA re-employment.”

The appeals from the VA, which is the most important well being care system within the U.S., come after Secretary Robert Wilkie stated final week that the division was on the point of deploy 3,000 medical employees to help within the nationwide battle in opposition to coronavirus.

The division entered the coronavirus epidemic short-staffed with 44,000 vacancies.

These well being care employees prepared to come back out of retirement to assist VA clinics and hospitals might themselves be at greater danger of contracting coronavirus, as a result of they’re prone to be in probably the most weak age group.

The job openings “might embrace each direct affected person care and telehealth choices, in addition to name middle and different administrative help.”