The majority of people in the hospital are still unvaccinated COVID-19 patients and here at University of New Mexico Hospital, they are operating at over 140% capacity.This means every single bed and even different units are being used and converted into patient areas but as we continue to fight the virus and the pandemic, hospital workers are tired and there is a shortage of workersBoth Presbyterian and UNMH have said their worker shortage has prompted hundreds of traveling nurses.The other topics of concern are different COVID-19 variants, both hospitals say that the best tool for current or new variants are vaccines. Dr. Jason Mitchell, Presbyterian chief medical officer said, “If every New Mexican who can get vaccines, that’s everyone in New Mexico, five and up, got vaccinated in the next couple of weeks. This pandemic would end in New Mexico within the next probably six to seven weeks. So we have that ability to return all of our life’s normal.” Doctors are still waiting for more information on how effective the vaccine is against the new variant but say mask wearing and vaccines are still effective. Regardless of the new variants doctors at Presbyterian they say right now the main concern is still the delta variant.Doctors are also encouraging people who haven’t gotten a booster to get it.Only 23% of New Mexicans have received a booster. UNM doctors estimate we won’t have a clear view about the new variant for about two to three weeks.
The majority of people in the hospital are still unvaccinated COVID-19 patients and here at University of New Mexico Hospital, they are operating at over 140% capacity.
This means every single bed and even different units are being used and converted into patient areas but as we continue to fight the virus and the pandemic, hospital workers are tired and there is a shortage of workers
Both Presbyterian and UNMH have said their worker shortage has prompted hundreds of traveling nurses.
The other topics of concern are different COVID-19 variants, both hospitals say that the best tool for current or new variants are vaccines.
Dr. Jason Mitchell, Presbyterian chief medical officer said, “If every New Mexican who can get vaccines, that’s everyone in New Mexico, five and up, got vaccinated in the next couple of weeks. This pandemic would end in New Mexico within the next probably six to seven weeks. So we have that ability to return all of our life’s normal.”
Doctors are still waiting for more information on how effective the vaccine is against the new variant but say mask wearing and vaccines are still effective.
Regardless of the new variants doctors at Presbyterian they say right now the main concern is still the delta variant.
Doctors are also encouraging people who haven’t gotten a booster to get it.
Only 23% of New Mexicans have received a booster.
UNM doctors estimate we won’t have a clear view about the new variant for about two to three weeks.
