NJ's Largest Health Care System Treating 1,400 Coronavirus Patients Desperate For PPE, Staff

With more than 400 frontline caregivers out on quarantine, HMH is "starting at a deficit," Garrett said in preparing for the surge of COVID-19 cases in three to six weeks.

There were more than 11,100 known coronavirus cases in New Jersey including 140 deaths as of Saturday.

The system as of Saturday was caring for more than 1,400 coronavirus patients -- a third of them in the ICU and 300 on ventilators, Garrett said.

HMH is hoping for PPE and, like most hospitals in the tristate area, more ventilators -- "that are going to be critical," Garrett said.

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Things weren't much different for Atlantic Health System, CEO Brian Gragnolati said in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk on the Street."

The system was caring for nearly 300 patients who were either COVID-19 positive or awaiting test results as of last Wednesday -- with case numbers growing by 25 percent each day, Gragnolati said.

AHS was also desperate for PPE, quick testing and ventilators, he said.

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