Coronavirus czar: Most hospitalized patients are over 60 and un-boosted

The government coronavirus czar, Prof. Salman Zarka, says most COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization are people over age 60 whose vaccination is out of date.

He says there are over 100,000 people over age 60 who have yet to get a third shot of vaccine, and calls on them “to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

He also advises people at risk to avoid events and gatherings.

“People who feel unwell and have signs of respiratory illness — stay home,” Zarka says.

He says the number of infected people in the country is likely significantly higher than those diagnosed by tests.

He notes that thousands of health workers are currently quarantined, and that this is causing “stress on the health system. It’s growing and we’re considering closing down non-urgent services as needed.”