![โWeโre getting tiredโ: Rural Texas communities overwhelmed with hospitalizations amid COVID-19 surge](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/GtBdNmLf-HtRnFug01TQb4hotN0=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/08-31-2021/t_683b9b5c09834cc192e6abb13cc9a704_name_image.jpg)
โWeโre getting tiredโ: Rural Texas communities overwhelmed with hospitalizations amid COVID-19 surge
COVID-19 infections have been on a steady rise all summer, and itโs starting to wear out medical staff at hospitals in rural Texas communities where facilities are short-staffed and not used to the ongoing demand for care.
![Jourdanton hospital employee receives letter months after patient passes away from COVID](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/RGMKz1U8WKaMnsXCrDFzjpqspnU=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/08-03-2021/t_8067595b1f164b5ca4beff8dc383c214_name_image.jpg)
Jourdanton hospital employee receives letter months after patient passes away from COVID
A frontline worker at Methodist Hospital South goes above and beyond to bring joy, hope and even gifts to those who face one of their toughest battles alone. Recently he received a letter that he says has brought so much meaning to his life and vocation.
![San Antonio doctor reflects on changes, progress seen one year into COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/VAw50mudO1ij4iiO4fMapWVxVsc=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-09-2021/t_cf79d985f9fe47b6b8be4821f357bde6_name_image.jpg)
San Antonio doctor reflects on changes, progress seen one year into COVID-19 pandemic
SAN ANTONIO โ A San Antonio doctor who has treated numerous COVID-19 patients is reflecting on her experience working on the frontlines during the pandemic. โWeโre still having to deal with this.โMohan works at Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio. AdโI actually took care of one of the first patients we had here in San Antonio from the Diamond Princess cruise ship,โ Mohan said. A year later, health care workers have learned more about COVID-19, but one thing remains the same. Mohan said therapeutics that have worked for COVID-19 patients include the antiviral drug Remdesivir, convalescent plasma and steroids.
![Hospital in Rio Grande Valley could make decisions based on patientโs chances of survival](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/rQN6wYfUSN1jpfmdgAJu5Cjo_WA=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/07-23-2020/t_6b1c1e764f464b93a42990df67355aba_name_image.jpg)
Hospital in Rio Grande Valley could make decisions based on patientโs chances of survival
STARR COUNTY, Texas โ There is a growing COVID-19 crisis just south of San Antonio in the Rio Grande Valley. โEmergency rooms are holding patients for hours or days because, basically, we do not have any rooms inside the hospital to put those patients,โ said Dr. Jose Vazquez, Starr County health authority. About 70,000 people live in Starr County, and more than 1,600 of its residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Starr County Memorial Hospital said its COVID-19 unit is filled with 29 patients. As of Wednesday morning, the hospital held nine patients for admission and transferred two patients to San Antonio hospitals.