(CNN) Doctors, nurses and other medical staff caring for the growing number of novel coronavirus cases around the United States are scrambling to find the basic protective gear they need to keep themselves and their patients safe.

Hospital staff in Renton, Washington, are making DIY face shields for medical workers to help deal with the shortage. Providence St. Joseph Health system operates 51 hospitals and hundreds of clinics across seven states.

About 20 administrative staff members made 500 face shields from marine-grade vinyl, industrial tape, foam and elastic, Jennifer Bayersdorfer, the hospital group's senior vice president for clinical quality, told CNN.

Bayersdorfer said staff members bought the supplies at craft stores and Home Depot and assembled the shields in a conference room. They are working on making kits that their volunteers can assemble at home, and they plan to start making masks as well.