To the patients, families and communities we are proud to serve:
It is our mission to care for you and support you – a commitment
that will never waver. That’s why we want to be upfront with you:
North Carolina is at a critical juncture in the battle against COVID-19
and we need your immediate help to slow community spread of the virus.
The omicron variant is highly infectious. While it might cause mild illnesses
for some people, mainly those who have been vaccinated, our hospitals
are filling up fast with COVID patients – most of whom are unvaccinated.
This situation is putting daily strain on our ability to care for those
who have other urgent medical needs that are not COVID-related. It is
heartbreaking, which is why we are reaching out to you.
With COVID-19 spreading like wildfire, your personal decisions about how
to coexist with the virus directly affect the health and well-being of
your family and community. Our best chance of returning to living healthy,
normal lives is to make sure our families, friends and work colleagues
are choosing to be vaccinated and getting their recommended booster shots.
Here is some important information to know:
• Vaccine and booster doses are readily available. They help the human
immune system to be ready to recognize and fight back against COVID-19
infection. Vaccinated people are less likely to require hospitalization
or die from COVID-19.
• You can get the virus again even if you had it before. Antibodies
from an actual infection do not last as long as the antibodies produced
in response to the vaccine, which is why vaccination is recommended even
for people who have had COVID.
• Everyone ages 5 and older can get vaccinated. Everyone ages 12
years and older can also get a booster shot.
• It’s okay to have questions about vaccines. If you do, talk
to a health care professional you trust.
Also please continue to practice the 3 W’s, protecting each other
by wearing a mask properly covering your nose and mouth, waiting six feet
apart, and washing or disinfecting hands frequently. We will eventually
get past this. But first, let’s work together to contain the rapid
spread of COVID-19 in our local communities and make 2022 a happy and
healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Chris Peek
President and CEO of CaroMont Health
Todd Davis, MD, MMM
Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for CaroMont Health
To see the original letter, published on behalf of member hospitals across
the state of North Carolina,
visit the North Carolina Hospital Association's website.