RICHMOND, Virginia – An emergency room doctor in Central Virginia issued a warning ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve following a spate of coronavirus cases following Thanksgiving.
Dr. Carlton Stadler is a member of the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians and works in a Richmond-area ER.
He shared a heartbreaking story about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on families.
“Yes, we saw an actual, dramatic increase in the number of patients that we saw – patients from interrelated families because they didn’t heed those warnings,” explained Dr. Stadler explains. “There have been a few cases where entire families occupy hospital beds or intensive care units.”
On Christmas Eve, the Virginia Department of Health reported the most new infections in one day with 4,782.
That’s about 200 more cases than were reported Wednesday, which was also a record high.
Health experts, such as Stadler, feared the holiday would also significantly increase the spread of the disease.
“This holiday is really the big test. It is the test where there is hope on the horizon, but there is still so much disease and the numbers are increasing dramatically, ”he said.
Stadler received his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Both he and his wife, who is also a healthcare professional, need a second dose to be fully vaccinated against the virus.
“[The vaccine] tells me that I will not die of this disease and that is something every doctor in the emergency room thinks about, ”said Stadler.
Since the pandemic began, many front-line workers feared that they would become infected with the disease and spread it to loved ones.
“The only way we can stop this disease is to get people vaccinated or get COVID-19, but that’s not a good alternative,” explains Stadler.
He urged families to do their research on the virus from reliable and tested sources. Relying on science will prevent us all from dying from this disease, Stadler said.
Washing your hands, distancing yourself socially from others, and wearing a face cover can stop the spread.
Stadler recommended wearing a mask indoors, especially when social distance is difficult.
The Richmond City Health District has posted tips on best practices for protecting your family while on vacation.
City of Richmond
Large gatherings, especially indoors, are considered unsafe this year.
That includes potlucks and trips to crowded places such as shops, parades, running events and sports.