Since all critically ill patients with breathing problems need to be treated as suspected COVID-19 cases, resuscitation and emergency treatment has to take place in a sealed room.

"Our experience with SARS was that it's not great to make stuff up as you go along," Dr. Michael Gardam explained.

Those most at risk for hospital-related harms are patients with multiple medical conditions, such as cancer and diabetes.

After news that a second healthcare worker who treated an Ebola patient in Dallas contracted the deadly disease, many questions have been raised, including how protective the protective gear is that is being used.