The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association is raising serious questions about the safety of physicians in the COVID-19 pandemic.

This after the local Medical Association learned of one patient who lied about their travel history when arranging an appointment with their doctor.

The unfolding situation in Italy, where COVID deaths have surpassed those of China, is being cited by officials in this province as the reason for serious self-isolation and social distancing measures here.

Doctors are now dying in Italy due to shortages of masks and gloves.

The province is putting serious measures in place to prevent spread and the impact to the health care system, including setting up the ability for doctors to see patients via video conferencing or by phone.

NLMA President Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald says concerns remain about the availability of protective equipment for front line health care workers and seeing patients who may not always be forthcoming. She recounted one story that she calls “very scary.”

The patient, who should have been in self-isolation, lied to get in to see the doctor who didn’t have enough masks in her office and had no protection on when she saw the patient.