Houston COVID-19: Majority of hospitalized patients with omicron variant not vaccinated, doctors say

Dr Esmaeil Porsa heads the Harris Health System and said that as of Friday morning, paramedics were treating 194 patients for COVID-19 at hospitals in their area. That is the highest number since the beginning of the pandemic.

SEE RELATED STORY: ABC13 City Hall to explore the impact of omicron variation in the Houston area

Porsa said between 84% and 85% of those 194 people were not vaccinated against COVID. He stressed that people should use common sense measures such as wearing masks, social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene to protect themselves. Dr Porsa also said that with omicrons being so contagious, it is unlikely that people will not experience the virus.

“I think we’re going to get to a point where a lot of people will get COVID,” Dr Porsa said. “The light at the end of the tunnel in my mind is hoping that this is the last hike. By the time this is said and done, as painful as it will be, as painful as we’re going to lose a few thousand more lives. because of COVID, hopefully this is the last major COVID surge we’ll ever experience.”

According to Dr. James McCarthy, the hospital’s chief operating officer, about 85% of patients in the intensive care units of Memorial Hermann Health System do not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr McCarthy said puppies that have been vaccinated and need medical intervention for COVID may experience other serious health problems.

“This (Omicron variant) is spreading very quickly in the community,” said Dr. “I think the reported rates underestimate the burden of disease in the community because people who are testing at home are positive but feel well enough to not have to go to the hospital, not call. state , CDC with their results There’s a huge amount of people with COVID that are never reported in the official numbers I think if you’re going out and not being cautious right now and you’re not injecting strains, your chances of getting COVID are exceptionally high.”

SEE RELATED STORY: Here’s how to perform an accurate rapid COVID-19 test at home

For updates on this story, follow Steve Campion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.