HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been steadily rising since November, but health care workers say we are just starting to see the Thanksgiving spike.
"Unless people decide that they take this seriously and don't travel, don't be around people that you don't know, keep your groups small, we're anticipating that the Christmas season is going to be interesting," said Huntsville Hospital ER Medical Director Dr. Sherrie Squyres.
As hospitals fill up with COVID-19 patients, many people are afraid to step foot into the emergency room despite medical emergencies, but not getting medical attention when needed could lead to an early death.
"Through HEMSI, I work with them too, they would call sometimes saying we've got this person with this disease or with shortness of breath or with chest pain, and they would tell paramedics, I don't want to come because I don't want to get COVID," said Dr. Squyres.
Dr. Squyres said not seeking care can have long term effects on a person's health.
"Mammograms and stuff, you know, you hate to see people miss those things," said Dr. Squyres. "In the long run, there will probably be, we will see the long term consequences of that."
Many hospitals are pushing back elective surgeries to combat the surge in COVID-19 patients, but putting these types of surgeries off can come with risks.
"You're not coming in with a broken leg or a ruptured appendix, but they are things that we need to do to maintain our health and our well being," said Dr. Squyres.
Dr. Squyres said they are taking precautions and that going to your doctor's office or to the ER is completely safe.
Dr. Squyres said Huntsville Hospital has been using the new antibody therapy, Bamlanivimab, to treat mild COVID patients for about a week now and are seeing positive results. It is in short supply, but health workers believe the treatment will help keep more COVID patients from needing hospital care.
WATCH: Beware of scammers promising priority on vaccine