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Growing community concern as daily COVID-19 cases could surpass 1 million a day nationally beginning in early 2022.

COVINA, Calif. – With the omicron variant spreading exponentially across the country, Emanate Health will host a special virtual edition of its "Ask The Doctor" series on the COVID-19 omicron variant in the form of a town hall meeting, Jan. 7, 2022, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. During the town hall meeting, experts will provide an update on the virus in the San Gabriel Valley and respond to questions the public may have. Click here or visit emanatehealth.org/event to register for the virtual town hall meeting.

"Public health officials say that daily COVID-19 cases could reach 1 million a day across the United States in early January as the highly infectious omicron variant continues to spread," said Emanate Health Chief Executive Officer Robert H. Curry. "We are ready to share the latest science-based information with the general public, as well as elected officials, civic leaders and school officials, to help keep our families and communities safe and informed."

Gurjeet Kalkat, MD, Emanate Health Chief Medical Officer, will serve as the moderator of the town hall meeting. Dr. Kalkat is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine.

"Despite many variables involving COVID-19, we know that the best recommendation that we can give is to strongly urge every American to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot if they qualify," Dr. Kalkat said. "In most cases, people who are vaccinated and boosted will sustain only mild and moderate symptoms if they receive a breakthrough infection, while the unvaccinated could get very sick and hospitalized."

The town hall panelists include Deepthi Jayasekara, MD, Chair of Emanate Health Infection Control, who is an infectious disease expert. Dr. Jayasekara is a tenured infectious disease specialist who has been on the frontlines treating COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic.

The final panelist includes Loucine Kasparian, Director of the Infection Control Department at Emanate Health, where she's responsible for creating strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections; and developing hospital policies, plans, and protocols to reduce patient harm and keep the environment safe for patients, visitors and staff. She has more than 10 years of experience working in the field of hospital epidemiology.

To participate in the special virtual edition of its "Ask The Doctor" series on the COVID-19 Omicron Variant, please click here to register or visit emanatehealth.org/event. Participants will be able to ask questions to the clinical experts while participating in the live event. Once registered, participants will receive a link to attend the virtual conference.

About Emanate Health

Emanate Health exists to help people keep well in body, mind and spirit by providing quality health care services in a safe, compassionate environment. Emanate Health is the largest nonprofit health care provider serving the one million residents of the San Gabriel Valley in California. The system provides specialized care in Behavioral Health, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Emergency, Neuroscience and Stroke, orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Women's Health. Its family of hospitals and hospice include Emanate Health Inter-Community in Covina, Emanate Health Queen of the Valley in West Covina, Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian in Glendora, Emanate Health Hospice and Home Care in West Covina, as well as other clinics throughout the region. Year after year the health care system has been voted "Best Hospital" and "Best Place to Work" and providers are consistently among the "Top Doctors" in Los Angeles County and hospital services are recognized for quality care. Visit emanatehealth.org, our Newsroom and connect with us on LinkedIn │Twitter │ Instagram │ Facebook.

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