Hospital CEOs and chief medical officers are raising red flags about an uptick in COVID-19 cases in their communities. Unlike earlier outbreaks concentrated in the Northeast and South, the virus is simmering at a worrisome level in most regions.

After weeks of warnings that cases were again on the rise, a third surge of coronavirus infection has firmly taken hold in the United States. The nation is averaging 59,000 new cases a day, the most since the beginning of August, and the country is on pace to record the most, new daily cases of the entire pandemic in the coming days.

The latest wave threatens to be the worst of the pandemic yet, coming as cooler weather is forcing people indoors and as many Americans report feeling exhausted by months of restrictions. The newest surge sets the stage for a grueling winter that will test the discipline of many Americans who have spent warmer months gathering in parks and eating outdoors, where the virus is known to spread less easily.

Bottom line, as “COVID weary” we may be, we need to stay the course, stay strong, mask up, wash our hands, set the example for our staff, residents and families, and not give up! We can do this; we are strong and resilient!

Please take this seriously, stay well, stay safe, and stay tuned!