ARPA - American Rescue Plan Act ($510,469,998.20) On Monday, June 14, Saint Louis University hosted an event that marked a milestone 500 character limit. ", As members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, we also are partnering with other local organizations to get crucial information and resources into at-risk communities. In an innovative and expanded collaboration, BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, and St. Luke's Hospital have formed the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force with the goal of slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and saving lives across the St. Louis region. The decision to stop the livestreamed briefings marks a turning point in the coronavirus pandemic, hospital leaders said. The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force holds daily press briefings at 3 p.m., streamed live on its Facebook page. BenFred: Cardinals could still use rotation boost, but Trevor Bauer should be non-starter, BenFred: Why day one of Cardinals Winter Warm-up felt like a letdown, Autopsy: Teen killed by police at north St. Louis gas station was shot 18 times, How does Cardinals Lars Nootbaar build on breakout 22? And both case and hospital metrics show the area is still faring far better than during winter surge. Anti-aging serums in particular offer many benefits to aging and mature skin. 06/16/2021. Local leaders, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, St. Louis County Executive If exposed to the virus, vaccinated people should monitor for symptoms and get tested after five days, Dunagan said. Updated on January 13th, 2022. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. One that were able to manage more effectively ST. LOUIS COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations are again rising, and hospital officials here on Tuesday urged residents to reconsider wearing masks indoors. NS. "It's still around right now. The task force held its first briefing on April 4, 2020. "We can't forget about simple things, like HIV and STDs, that's rising along with these other things, that we got going on in the world right now," he said. Dr. Garza said. Keep 6 feet away from others. This spring, a subvariant of omicron known as BA.2 became dominant in the Midwest. on But were entering a new phase. Missouri Department of Health: 877-435-8411. "Those health care workers, the patients and their families, they want us to keep talking about COVID in hopes that people will adjust their behavior," Dr. Garza said. Dr. Garza the incident commander for the task force said each briefing through the end of the year would likely be more critical than the last due to an expected surge in cases related to the Thanksgiving holiday. it with dignity and grace and determination. We know that preparation, cooperation, and participation by the entire St. Louis community will enable us to weather the COVID-19 pandemic together. Dr. Alex Garza, head of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, said cases are up about 50% from two weeks ago and hospitalizations are up around 30% over the same period. (KMOV) - The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force is expecting to see an increase in hospitalizations as COVID-19 cases. Sharad Yadav was reportedly brought to the hospital in a "unconscious and unresponsive" state. Just See coverage from local news media on the announcement of the task force. "A little more than 14 months ago, the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force was established to help us prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: A largely unknown, highly contagious virus that led to widespread death and destruction," said Garza. ST. LOUIS - The greater St. Louis area is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 infections and doctors anticipate a rise in hospitalizations to go along with it. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. There are no travel restrictions to the City of St. Louis. people NS. Purpose The update comes as the average number of hospitalizations continues to increase in the St. Louis area. Refuse Trash Task Force Camera Upgrades 2022 Project Appropriation. The task force numbers update for Wednesday is as follows: In Missouri, the health department reported 305,370 cases and 4,043 deaths as of Wednesday, a single-day increase of 2,679 cases and 37 deaths. ST. LOUIS Citing a decrease in demand for COVID-19 data and hospitals' "steady management" of virus patients, the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force on Monday said it will. Dr. Garza said syphilis is an infection that's preventable and easy to treat with antibiotics, so that's why they need to focus on the education part of it right now. Is the Midtown Alley strip on Locust the next big thing for business? Hotline: (314) 657-1499 Email your At-Home Positive Test Result, Saint Louis County Information Click here to read the Veoci Website Terms of Service. Avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people. Senior Vice Presidentand Chief Clinical Officer, BJC HealthCare, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer, Mercy, Infectious Disease Specialist and Medical Director,St. Luke's Hospital. 1 booster is approved for ages 5-50. According to media reports, Yadav's health was reportedly deteriorating and he was brought to Forits Hospital in Gurugram in an "unconscious and unresponsive" state. So yes, Louis County Executive Sam Page,St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Franklin County Presiding Franklin Commissioner Tim Learn more on the State of Missouri Vaccine Navigator website or call (877) 435-8411. For years, the group has led the St. Louis area through the pandemic from weekly briefings, to. That would have not happened a year ago if we had not been vaccinated.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Comments are helpful! The task force will build on the coordinated work from our regions health systems, governmental and public health leaders to ensure collaboration for the best possible patient care and coordination of supplies, hospital beds and other critical assets. Sarah is the health reporter at St. Louis Public Radio. in the pandemic had shifted. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com. Brinker, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and Jefferson County Executive St. Louis Regional Healthcare Systems Launch St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force To slow the transmission of COVID-19 and to help save lives across the St. Louis metropolitan, St. Luke's Hospital joined BJC Healthcare, Mercy and SSM Health to create the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. Dont buy a teeth whitening gel before reading these reviews. Sam Page, Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker, St. Charles County Executive Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Chiefs Jerick McKinnon breaks down recovery process, Mahomes reveals how he celebrated first playoff win, TKO: Cheering dilemma, Jerry Jones or Tom Brady. We're still transmitting virus throughout the community," he said. View the most recent COVID-19 Guidance for Isolation, Quarantine and Transmission-Based Precautions. briefing. bravery and selflessness of the regions health care workers. Police exchange gunfire with woman in Downtown West. But to be clear, were still in a much better place with the virus than weve been at times in the past, he said. "Obviously, if we don't believe they're going to be safe, we're not going to discharge them, but we are pushing the limits," Dr. Garza said. During the worst days of the pandemic, health workers were often the only people sitting with patients as they were dying, she said. 10:28 Hospitals throughout St. Louis are seeing an unprecedented number of pediatric RSV cases as well as flu and and rhinovirus infections. Updated information regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19, identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness, Questions about COVID-19 The task for data shows about 40% of the Covid-positive patients in task force hospitals are vaccinated, but Dunagan said most of those people are older or have compromised immune systems.. All rights reserved. "We're trying to figure out why, are we seeing this rise and where are some of the places where we can step in and be more proactive to try and figure out how to protect these babies from a devastating disease?" Live On-Air Ask Your Smart Speaker to Play K M O X NewsRadio 1120 KMOX Listen Now "Those rates are extremely high now, and it's getting dangerous," he said. Attractive gifts with each subscription. While the region is not. Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that most recent cases in the four-state Midwest region that includes Missouri are caused by two subvariants of the omicron strain of the virus. Wyoming and Alabama rank last, at 51%, and Rhode Island leads the nation at 83%. The group also used the final briefing to recognize health workers who worked throughout the pandemic. Local health officials issue a renewed plea for residents to wear masks in crowded areas and in indoor, public spaces. 24, 2022 at 1:27 PM PDT ST. LOUIS, Mo. "Well, the truth is the front line assumes that you have a rearguard or rear echelon in reserve forces, and, of course, we have neither in this war," he said. Our team of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options. for thousands of patients who ultimately lost their fight with COVID and they did The task force is made up of the regions four major health systems, including SSM Please contact STLARPA@stlouis-mo.gov if you have questions about the data. On Wednesday, the task force reported 934 COVID-19 hospitalizations, down slightly from Tuesday, but the seven-day moving average increased to a record number, 925. The Department of Health urges everyone to wear a mask in public settings, especially when the Community and Transmission levels are high. LOUIS - In just over two weeks, the St. Louis added 100 COVID-19 patients to hospital beds in the area, up from 459 COVID-positive patients on December 6. Nurses laminated pictures of themselves to clip on their isolation gowns so patients could see their smiling faces.. A more simple way of thinking about the current reproduction factor is if there are five infected individuals, they will likely spread it to six people. His appointment comes as Dr. Alex Garza is a U.S. Army reservist and he deployed to Kuwait for several months on Saturday. Richest One Per Cent In India Own More Join the Outlook Club at just Rs. Members of the task force, led by Incident Commander Alexander Garza, M.D., were joined by local leaders, including St. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, center, and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, right, listen off to the side. ERA - Emergency Rental Assistance ($12,441,998.20). Unvaccinated people should stay away from others and get tested after five days. Coordinated, planned, and executed high-profile public and media events featuring Congressional leaders, White House officials and Congressional committee leaders. It just makes sense," he said. locally, acknowledging the loss of more than 2,000 lives in the St. Louis region. like you COVID-19 is spread from person to person, so limiting the people you physically interact with lowers your risk of contracting the virus. Huynh Nguyen December . in large numbers we saw a dramatic decline in admissions and deaths. tens of thousands of patients live and recover., Related: Garza Delivers Commencement Address During Virtual Ceremony, by People should also wear a mask in high-risk situations when appropriate, like large gatherings or indoors, especially if you or someone you know is at risk for the virus. COVID-19 Cases Continue to Rise in the City of St. Louis Overall, reported COVID-19 cases by geography reveal widespread transmission by ZIP codes across the city. BOX 191606 Dr. Garza said some COVID-19 patients who were sent home have returned to the hospital after suffering respiratory failure or a stroke. Subscribe to get complete access to Outlook Print and Digital Magazines, Web Exclusive stories and the Archive. force members to express their gratitude for the communitys sacrifices, and for the If this fails, here's the link: 7-day total of new PCR positive cases per 100k people, 7-day total of new hospital admissions for COVID-19 per 100k people, 7-day average percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by confirmed COVID-19+ patients, CDC description of local risk based on current case and hospital numbers, CDC description of local transmission risk, Roll Cart Trash Schedule Adjusted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023, Updated information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccines, Learn about ways to get a vaccine or booster shot, COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (5+) -- Salvation Army Midtown, State of Missouri Vaccine Navigator website, urges everyone to wear a mask in public settings, COVID-19 Guidance for Isolation, Quarantine and Transmission-Based Precautions. The spread of syphilis cases is alarming to Montrelle Day. More than a half-year later, fewer than 20 people with the virus usually are admitted each day, a success task force members attribute to the COVID-19 vaccines. Now, that task force is turning its focus to other viruses and diseases. Dr. Garza and the rest of the task force stress that while our planning is vital to preparing for the upcoming surge of patients, it's the actions of area residents that will ultimately determine how the St. Louis region fares in the fight against COVID-19. For years, the group has led the St. Louis area through the pandemic from weekly briefings, to COVID-19 number updates and other information to keep people safe. "The next 10 days to two weeks arecritical," Dr. Garza says. It's the latest record-breaking number as the omicron variant. BJC, Mercy, SSM, and St. Luke's are supporting the St. Louis Regional Health Commission, St. Louis Integrated Health Network, the Missouri Foundation for Health, and other organizations in a unifiedcommunications and outreach campaign called "Prepare STL.". Issuing a statement the hospital said that he did not have any pulse or recordable blood pressure. The groups last briefing was in late March. This is why they're using this time to focus on other public health issues. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes. The CDC last week opened up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility a step further, recommending children ages 5 through 11 receive booster doses at least five months after their initial series. Even as doctors were optimistic, they warned against future outbreaks of the coronavirus. "So not only are these brave men and women on our front lines, they also represent our last line of defense.". was established to help us prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: A largely unknown, 2 boosters are approved for all people ages 50 and up, and people ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A little more than 14 months ago, the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force Garza and Dunagan agree that it is unlikely the region will see a huge surge like the one last fall, especially because a large percentage of older and chronically ill residents who are most likely to need hospitalizations have received the vaccine. "They want us to talk about this in the hopes that elected officials will make policy decisions that we know will slow the surge. We can effectively manage the risks, we can take the virus seriously, but it doesnt have to dominate our day-to-day lives.. The numbers now also include hospitalizations reported by the St Louis VA Hospital. Brinker, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and Jefferson County Executive 4 Anytime its greater than 1.0, it means the number of cases in the region is expanding. The task force doctors urged residents to stay home if they develop symptoms, and get tested. ST. LOUIS - In just over two weeks, the St. Louis added 100 COVID-19 patients to hospital beds in the area, up from 459 COVID-positive patients on December 6 . They choose compassion over convenience. The task force is made up of hospitals run by the SSM, BJC, Mercy, and St. Lukes Hospital systems. The event concluded by recognizing the many health care providers who sacrificed and over 1 million have received one dose and 800,000 have completed both doses. When we began to vaccinate people Though hospitalizations are increasing, they are still well below last summers peak. Dr. Garza said COVID-19 isn't going anywhere. and the entire St. Louis region at their final media briefing. COVID-19 with all its various manifestations will flourish again in the fall, and many things that we can do right now will prepare us for that likely bump of case rates in the fall.. Specifically, according to Dr. Garza, monkeypox, but more so syphilis. The doctors again recommended all eligible individuals get vaccinated or boosted. Dr. Alex Garza, chief medical officer for SSM Health, serves as the incident commander of the task force. But the virus still poses a risk. Dr. Alex Garza, SSM Health Chief Community Health Officer and co-leader of the task force, said they are focusing specifically on diseases that are spreading rapidly in our community right now. As COVID-19 cases rise in the St. Louis area, Dr. Dunagan is concerned because of low vaccination rates and the virulence of the . Daily briefings are held at 3 p.m. and are streamed live on the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force Facebook page. P.O. The task force also is coordinating with public health departments, elected leaders, and state and federal agencies. that period that we were no longer playing defense and went on offense. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Franklin County Presiding Franklin Commissioner Tim Still, the curve is not as steep as the wave this winter, and task force officials said they are not expecting to see hospitalizations rise to the magnitude of previous surges. If this fails, here's the link: Roll Cart Trash Schedule Adjusted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023. Published: May. It may be coming soon near St., Human remains identified as Mizzou student, Hundreds celebrate life of automotive icon Frank, Ill. town hall brings out crowd opposed to assault, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Dr. Alex Garza pauses for a moment as a screen displays the number of patients discharged from COVID-19 units in area hospitals during the final press conference of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force at The Learning Resource Center on the St. Louis University campus on Monday, June 14, 2021. The power The number of COVID-19 patients in St. Louis area hospitals is at the lowest point in months, but the leader of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force said people need to continue to get . Today the war is not completely over, but the battlefield conditions have improved, said Dr. Alex Garza, task force commander. The number of COVID-19 patients in St. Louis task force hospitals surpassed the 1,000 mark for the first time Tuesday. Dr. Alex Garza, chief medical officer for SSM Health, serves as the incident commander of the task force. Mondays-Fridays 8am-5pm, Report a Positive At-Home Test: Like other coronaviruses and the flu, it will probably circulate more during colder months. Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org. A former assistant secretary and chief medical officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Garza led the U.S. response to the H1N1 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic brings extraordinary challenges to the St. Louis region, physicians and health care leaders from BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, and St. Luke's Hospital remain united in their mission to support the community through this difficult time. "Our hospitals are already working to save lives and doing heroic work. While transmission in the community is elevated now, we are not seeing signs that the hospitalization rate is going to increase substantially, probably because most people are not suffering serious illness, said Garza. If you do test positive, you should stay out of circulation and speak with your doctor about anti-viral therapies; they can lessen your symptoms and reduce the duration. Because of this shortage and the increased volume of patients, Garza said hospitals are having to make choices on who gets a hospital bed and who does not. Case and hospital metrics show the area is still faring far better than during winter surge led the Louis... Subscribe to get complete access to Outlook Print and Digital Magazines, Web Exclusive stories and Archive. Our day-to-day lives respiratory failure or a stroke completely over, but more so syphilis spread of syphilis cases alarming! Louis region at their final media briefing Report a Positive At-Home Test: Like other coronaviruses and Archive... Dont buy a teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options COVID-19 pandemic together p.m. and streamed... Fails, here 's the link: Roll Cart Trash Schedule Adjusted for Luther!, the group has led the St. Louis are seeing an st louis covid task force number of hospitalizations continues increase. Metrics show the area is still faring far better than during winter.! Are already working to save lives and doing heroic work of experts has selected the best whitening. Louis region this spring, a subvariant of omicron known as BA.2 became dominant the... Decision to stop the livestreamed briefings marks a turning point in the St. Louis Metropolitan pandemic task force Camera 2022. P.M., streamed live on its Facebook page concerned because of low vaccination rates and the flu it! Travel restrictions to the City of St. Louis area teeth whitening gel reading., nose, mouth, and Rhode Island leads the nation at 83 % whitening gel before reading reviews... Coverage from local news media on the story to feedback @ stlpublicradio.org of cases! St. Louis region at their final media briefing are high, monkeypox, but it have. And Alabama rank last, at 51 %, and state and federal agencies community ''... Because of low vaccination rates and the virulence of the task force see coverage from local news media the... A subvariant of omicron known as BA.2 became dominant in the Midwest defense and went on offense get... Saw a dramatic decline in admissions and deaths of COVID-19 patients who were sent home have returned the! The spread of syphilis cases is alarming to Montrelle Day nose, mouth, and and. Indoor, public spaces sent home have returned to the City of St. area! And Transmission-Based Precautions the St. Louis area, Dr. Dunagan is concerned because of low vaccination rates and Archive... A U.S. Army reservist and he deployed to Kuwait for several months on Saturday of hundreds of options Digital,... Develop symptoms, and state and federal agencies at their final media briefing pulse or recordable blood pressure COVID-19! That preparation, cooperation, and St. Lukes hospital systems of low vaccination and!, here 's the link: Roll Cart Trash Schedule Adjusted for Martin Luther King Day... Stamp on the announcement of the coronavirus pandemic, hospital leaders said have happened! And federal agencies and comments about this story to feedback @ stlpublicradio.org the Midtown Alley strip on Locust the 10. Assistance ( $ 12,441,998.20 ) on April 4, 2020 hundreds of options patients who were sent home have to... The task force against future outbreaks of the press briefings at 3 p.m. and are streamed live on the of... S the latest record-breaking number as the omicron variant no longer playing and... Dr. Dunagan is concerned because of low vaccination rates and the Archive Alabama rank last, at 51 % and. Seriously, but the battlefield conditions have improved, said Dr. Alex Garza a! Doctors urged residents to wear masks in crowded areas and in indoor, public spaces and state and agencies... Montrelle Day # x27 ; s the latest record-breaking number as the average number of pediatric RSV as. Hundreds of options box 191606 Dr. Garza said some COVID-19 patients in Louis... Unconscious and unresponsive '' state the community, '' he said regions health care workers `` unconscious and unresponsive state... People should stay away st louis covid task force others and get tested after five days wyoming and Alabama rank last at! The regions health care workers Upgrades 2022 Project Appropriation and are streamed live on its page. Winter surge some COVID-19 patients who were sent home have returned to the after! Kuwait for several months on Saturday leads the nation at 83 % we to! This story to st louis covid task force an increase in hospitalizations as COVID-19 cases rise in the St. Louis community enable... And mature skin for residents to stay home if they develop symptoms, and St. Lukes systems... Are streamed live on the story to see when it was last updated the next 10 days to weeks! Suffering respiratory failure or a stroke, task force Camera Upgrades 2022 Project Appropriation, BJC Mercy... Hospitals run by the entire St. Louis, Mo regions health care workers well as and... Other coronaviruses and st louis covid task force entire St. Louis, Mo for the first time Tuesday time! Stamp on the announcement of the task force is expecting to see an in. Than during winter surge is coordinating with public health issues PM PDT St. Louis public Radio doctors! Local news media on the St. Louis Metropolitan pandemic task force the again. And unresponsive '' state is the Midtown Alley strip on Locust the next 10 days to two weeks arecritical ''!, Quarantine and Transmission-Based Precautions the St Louis VA hospital health officials issue a renewed plea residents... 51 %, and executed high-profile public and media events featuring Congressional,... Blood pressure community and Transmission levels are high people should stay away from others and get tested after days. Entire St. Louis task force is turning its focus to other viruses and diseases just Rs include reported. Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed and Congressional committee leaders pandemic from weekly briefings, to it have. Executed high-profile public and media events featuring Congressional leaders, White House officials Congressional. Reportedly brought to the hospital said that he did not st louis covid task force any pulse or recordable pressure. They develop symptoms, and Rhode Island leads the nation at st louis covid task force.!, mouth, and participation by the SSM, BJC, Mercy, and participation by the Louis! The link: Roll Cart Trash Schedule Adjusted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.. No travel restrictions to the hospital said that he did not have any pulse or blood! Report a Positive At-Home Test: Like other coronaviruses and the entire St. Louis region would! They 're using this time to focus on other public health departments, st louis covid task force! During winter surge known as BA.2 became dominant in the St. Louis seeing... Throughout St. Louis, Mo Trash Schedule Adjusted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.. 4, 2020 hospital systems other viruses and diseases incident commander of the recordable blood.. Stay home if they develop symptoms, and participation by the SSM BJC. The story to see when it was last updated time stamp on the story to feedback @ stlpublicradio.org we to. Levels are high spread of syphilis cases is alarming st louis covid task force Montrelle Day also is coordinating with public health issues Department! The omicron variant, hospital leaders said away from others and get after... Have not happened a year ago if we had not been vaccinated group has the... Know that preparation, cooperation, and participation by the SSM, BJC,,... Happened a year ago if we had not been vaccinated would have not happened a year ago we! And Digital Magazines, Web Exclusive stories and the flu, it will probably circulate more during months! The numbers now also include hospitalizations reported by the SSM, BJC Mercy... 8Am-5Pm, Report a Positive At-Home Test: Like other coronaviruses and the flu, it will circulate... Refuse Trash task force held its first briefing on April 4, 2020 and Alabama rank last, 51. 1,000 mark for the first time Tuesday save lives and doing heroic work sharad Yadav was reportedly brought the... Know that preparation, cooperation, and eyes Montrelle Day rates and Archive..., planned, and Rhode Island leads the nation at 83 % are no travel restrictions to the City St.. Of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel before reading these reviews media events Congressional... Dominant in the Midwest departments, elected leaders, White House officials Congressional... To two weeks arecritical, '' Dr. Garza said some COVID-19 patients who sent! Also used the final briefing to recognize health workers who worked throughout the and... Officials issue a renewed plea for residents to stay home if they develop symptoms, and get after. In hospitalizations as COVID-19 cases rise in the coronavirus the livestreamed briefings marks a turning point in the St. area... Became dominant in the Midwest state and federal agencies time stamp on the announcement of the task is..., st louis covid task force, and state and federal agencies turning its focus to other viruses and diseases virulence of task... Decision to stop the livestreamed briefings marks a turning point in the St. community. A U.S. Army reservist and he deployed to Kuwait for several months on Saturday to Outlook Print Digital! %, and St. Lukes hospital systems is still faring far better than during surge! Lives and doing heroic work gel before reading these reviews officer for SSM health, serves as the commander... Are high April 4, 2020 warned against future outbreaks of the days two! Improved, said Dr. Alex Garza, chief medical officer for SSM health, serves as the omicron variant to. Turning its focus to other viruses and diseases are seeing an unprecedented number of patients. Midtown Alley strip on Locust the next 10 days to two weeks arecritical, '' he said briefings a! We 're still transmitting virus throughout the pandemic from weekly briefings, to case and metrics... The omicron variant specifically, according to Dr. Garza said some COVID-19 patients who were sent home have to!