Local leaders urge immediate action to curb Omicron’s spread
It’s too late to stop the Christmas surge, but we can stop a New Year’s pile on.
BACKGROUND: Our Emergency Department is experiencing a huge spike in patients, including critical trauma patients, heart attacks, strokes and serious complications from diabetes. However, the highly contagious Omicron variant is also causing a spike in people with mild-to-moderate symptoms coming to the ER. We know many people become anxious if they test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms and want to be tested. It is urgent that people only come to the ER for a true emergency. Those who develop COVID-19 symptoms should contact their primary care provider or check the City of San Antonio’s website for testing locations, and monitor and manage their symptoms at home. Their doctor’s office can also provide instructions on what to do if their symptoms worsen.
Reducing the spread should be everyone’s top priority, and the community can help by getting vaccinated, wearing masks appropriately, and washing hands often.
It’s too late to stop the Christmas surge, but we can stop a New Year’s pile on. People should avoid crowds and skip the New Year’s Eve parties and in-person get-togethers.
The spread of COVID is happening across the community, including among health care workers. We need everyone to do all they can to help prevent a real crisis in our community.
WHO:
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff
University Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bryan Alsip
University Health Chief Nurse Executive Tommye Austin
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar
City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg
WHEN:
Friday, December 31, 2021
10 a.m.
WHERE:
Staff Parking Lot across from University Hospital (please do not park in the Medical Center Pavilion Clinic)
4502 Medical Drive
