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Health experts preparing for potential surge of COVID

Epidemiologist Dr. Rachael Lee with the University of Alabama at Birmingham said it is still important to maintain efforts to flatten the curve.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Health experts are preparing for a potential new surge of COVID cases as the Delta variant continues to spread through the nation.

Epidemiologist Dr. Rachael Lee with the University of Alabama at Birmingham said it is still important to maintain efforts to flatten the curve.

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"If we are at the beginning of a surge, are we going to see what we saw back in January, which affects all of the patients regardless of whether or not they're vaccinated, if we have to reduce the number of surgeries and increase the number of COVID beds that we need to care for these patients that affects your loved ones and that affects yourself and getting the health care that we need," said Lee.

"I recommend that if you're not vaccinated, to follow the CDC guidance to continue to wear masking. If you are vaccinated, I think it's important that you continue to watch and be careful with who you're around if you are not feeling well, get, get tested, and make sure you stay home.," Lee continued.

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Lee said UAB is prepared for the potential of more COVID surges.

"If we have to flip into doing more and doing more testing and cutting back on things we can do that," said Lee. "We don't want to do that, of course, nobody wants to be able to, or to turn down patients for the care that they need but we are ready and prepared to care for COVID-19 like we were in January, and in months prior."

IN OTHER NEWS: People urged to get vaccinated as COVID cases rise in Alabama

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