After two years, misinformation and skepticism regarding the ongoing worldwide epidemic is still rampant, much to the vexation of the professional health community.

In response, Lehigh Valley Hospital Network hosted a live-streamed COVID-19 “Reality Check” meeting of health specialists Jan. 14

Infectious Disease Chair Dr. Timothy Friel laid out the basics: Treatment has improved, but the Omicron variant is still serious and the healthcare system is deeply stressed.

He said illness numbers are unlike anything seen thus far in the long pandemic – 800,000 patients on a daily basis nationwide, breaking all records, with hospitalizations and deaths predictably higher as well. And testing, emergency and express care locations are all being pushed to a huge degree – as many as four times as many patients as normal.

“All the news is not necessarily bad,” Friel said, noting Omicron is less likely than previous variants to cause serious disease, though it is much more transmissible.

It can still cause disease, doctors warn, and mortalities due to COVID complications are still high. “Remember,” Friel said, “COVID can lead to a cascade of other medical problems.”

While the learning curve for treating COVID has flattened, Friel said, “It has been a long, long arduous 22 months. It has been a long, difficult and challenging ride for all of us.”

Dr. Kathleen Kane, Muhlenberg ER director, stressed the unsustainable pace of incoming patients, but said they are working hard to keep up with demand. “If they need care, they need care. If they come in, they are our patients,” she said, but, “they are coming in unending droves.

“Everyone is going above and beyond every minute of every day to try to take care of our patients, but that’s really hard to do when the water keeps getting deeper and deeper.”

Kane said discerning when to visit the ER today is a difficult prospect for the public, but do come for treatment if you are experiencing trouble breathing, chest pain, signs of serious issues such as stroke or stomach pain combined with the inability to keep food down. But do not come to the ER for mild symptoms or for testing.

Hazelton Dr. Jodi Lenko echoed the sentiment regarding testing; do not show up at a hospital or care center without notice – ask a medical provider about the type and need for a sensitive PCR test. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms while at home and you have access to a home test, use it and trust the results. “It’s a very good test in this situation. You don’t need a PCR to confirm that you have COVID after you’ve had a positive home test. These tests have taken some of the burden from our labs,” Lenko said.

And if that is the case, stay home and isolate yourself from others. If the result is negative, think of the safety of your loved ones and community and stay safe just the same.

The hour-long conversation can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/lvhealthnetwork/videos/1269130256912699