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For doctors like Memorial Hermann President and CEO Dr. David Callender, the COVID-19 spike is slow and steady in hospitals at Texas Medical Center.
“Texas Medical Center hospitals are seeing the slow increase in the number of cases with symptoms of COVID-19. We are certainly seeing more infections than a few weeks ago,” Callender told Chron.
“I WILL NEVER FORGET THESE WEEKS”: Houston ICU doctor describes what it is on the COVID-19 frontlines
In Texas, the peak of cases are mostly from Dallas, El Paso and Harris counties, according to a Reuters tally.
“Many areas of the states are seeing an increase in the number of hospitalizations,” Callender said. “This is not currently the case in Houston.”
Why isn’t Houston as badly hit as other parts of the state?
“Houston saw a [increase] back in summer. We know the behavior tends to follow the experience, “Callender added.” We think people who experience these flare-ups are more willing to wear a mask, to follow social distancing guidelines. We believe behavior plays a role. “
Callender pointed out that a winter spike in COVID-19 cases was a significant concern for health professionals at Texas Medical Center.
“July 4, Memorial Day led, in our opinion, to an increase in the number of cases, in the overall rate of transmission,” Callender said. “Now we are concerned as we move into the a little colder time of year … a time of year when we celebrate the holidays. There is always a risk as we head into winter. risky situation. We’ve done a good job lately to protect ourselves from the virus, to follow the guidelines. “
After Pfizer’s Monday announcement that its vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, Callender says it’s encouraging news, but not the full story.
“We hope that some of these large studies can be concluded very soon,” Callender said. “That there will be enough information for the FDA to review. There will be an emergency use authorization request and a formal request after that. We would like to see at least the first doses of a vaccine. safe and efficient available to us someday this winter. “
Callender added that once the vaccine doses were available, they would be limited in number.
“At least if they could start immunizing, our high-risk population would make good progress,” Callender said. “If all goes well, we could get doses available for administration in the winter, maybe early spring. If the production of these vaccines could increase, we could get more people vaccinated as summer and early fall approaches.
Callender pointed out that although we have a promising update of a promising vaccine, Houstonians still need to continue taking precautionary measures like social distancing and wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We must continue to use these precautions,” Callender said. “It will take time for the vaccine to be distributed, administered and then for immunity to develop in a significant number of the population.”
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