'We're just still going': Nurses face hard road in midst of rising coronavirus cases

Houston health care workers are becoming overwhelmed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. This has led to relief being sent in from other areas. 

Houston hospitals have admitted 400 people infected with the virus on each day though the number of cases has started to drop once again.

“Two years ago we were being heralded as heroes," Kevin McFarlane, a member of the Houston Emergency Nurses Association, said. "People were out banging pots and loving on nurses. Now, we’re just still going.”

McFarlane went on to explain the work load that nurses have today. 

“The system is overwhelmed," McFarlane said. "We’re seeing a lot of patients. Not only are we on the front lines taking care of people in the beds in front of us, but we’re also back home taking care of our family members are well.”

Public officials also commented on the toll the coronavirus is taking on hospitals.

“They are all seeing staff shortages, some of up to 10% due to the virus, up to 20% due to burnout, ultimately because of the virus," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said. 

According to McFarlane, many Houston area nurses have left hospitals for lower-stress jobs or higher-paying jobs as travel nurses. On Jan. 11, the Harris County Commissioners Court approved the hiring of an additional 660 nurses from San Antonio to bring to the Houston area where they are needed. The move will cost $40 million, which was approved by the commissioners, according to a report from KHOU 11.

About 90,000 test kits have been purchased by the county in anticipation of more cases. Nurses such as McFarlane recommend that people get vaccinated, wear masks and social distance in order to stop omicron infections and reduce the strain on nurses and hospitals, according to a report from KHOU 11.