Two doctors have been hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19, including one in Washington, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.

The Washington doctor, who is in his 40s, works for EvergreenHealth. That’s the hospital system in Kirkland, Washington, which has treated dozens of patients from the Life Care Center, the nursing home at the center of Washington’s deadliest outbreak.

The doctor was directly responsible for treating patients with COVID-19, a spokesman for the hospital confirmed. But it’s unclear if the doctor became infected with coronavirus from treating patients or through other community contacts, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“EvergreenHealth is providing care for one of our physicians who has a confirmed case of COVID-19,” the hospital said in a statement Sunday afternoon. “He is in critical condition but stable. Out of respect for our patient’s privacy and that of his family, there is nothing more we can share at this time.”

Evergreen has treated 106 patients with COVID-19 since the first confirmed case Feb. 28. Twenty-four patients there have died.

Although roughly 3,500 Americans have been identified with coronavirus, the disclosures this weekend appear to mark the first time that doctors have been publicly identified as requiring hospitalization. Health-care workers have long known the risks of treating patients with coronavirus after deaths of doctors in China, where the outbreak began, including Dr. Li Wenliang, who blew the whistle on inadequate efforts to stop the outbreak from spreading.

“I am deeply saddened by this news, but not surprised,” Dr. William Jaquis, president of the national emergency physicians’ group, wrote in a statement posted online Saturday. “As emergency physicians, we know the risks of our calling. We stand united with our colleagues and our thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery are with each of them and their families.”

The second doctor with COVID-19 is in his 70s and works in Paterson, New Jersey, according to Jaquis’ statement. That doctor leads his institution’s emergency preparedness efforts and was admitted to the hospital several days ago with upper respiratory problems.

He remains in isolation in the intensive care unit, according to Jaquis’ statement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified, Jaquis’ wrote, and the Washington doctor complied with all guidance for wearing personal protective equipment, or PPE.

“The hospital was acutely aware of the COVID-19 risk to health care workers and has worked closely with the CDC to ensure the appropriate policies and procedures are in place to mitigate risk,” Jaquis wrote. “This emergency physician complied at all times with appropriate PPE procedures.”

Front-line health care workers are at risk for exposure and many across the country have expressed concern over inadequate protective supplies.

In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown has asked Vice President Mike Pence for hundreds of thousands of masks and other equipment from a federal stockpile. But Brown said Friday the state had received nothing and was told Oregon would get only a fraction of the request. Some supplies have since arrived.

“It is my hope that these colleagues and their cases serve as a reminder to each of us to stay vigilant," Jaquis wrote to emergency room physicians.

"This virus is dangerous, and its impact is still unfolding. As emergency physicians, we answer the call to care for our most vulnerable, even at great personal risk. Knowing that, I urge each of you to meticulously follow the recommended precautions to protect yourself.”

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt