Hospitalized Covid-19 patients are asking for the vaccine — when it’s too late, two health care workers say – CNN

"When they come into the (hospital) system, they say, 'Can I get vaccinated?' And at that point, you can't," Alix Zacharski, an intensive care clinical nurse manager at Miami's Jackson Health System, told CNN's "Newsroom" Thursday.

"We have to let the virus run its course, and then hopefully" the vaccine can be given, she said.

Not all of these patients live to get the chance, an Alabama doctor says.

Dr. Brytney Cobia of Grandview Medical Center wrote this about young people recently arriving at her hospital seriously ill with Covid-19:

"A few days later when I call time of death, I hug their family members and I tell them the best way to honor their loved one is to go get vaccinated and encourage everyone they know to do the same," Cobia wrote.

The US averaged more than 39,900 new cases a day over a week ending Wednesday -- more than three times 2021's lowest average (about 13,000 daily, set on June 22), according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Hospitalizations also are rising. More than 27,700 Covid-19 patients were in US hospitals on Monday -- nearly double the number from June 27, when a 2021 low of 15,982 was counted, the US Department of Health and Human Services says.

These rises have come as the proportion of Delta variant cases has increased.

Zacharski urged eligible unvaccinated people to get inoculated.

"We really want to make sure everybody understands: We need your help, to help you," Zacharski said.

CNN's Theresa Waldrop contributed to this report.

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Hospitalized Covid-19 patients are asking for the vaccine -- when it's too late, two health care workers say - CNN