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Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated mask guidance this week to suggest Americans choose N95 or KN95s if possible, as respirators better stem the spread of SARS-CoV-2 spread this winter.

Experts have previously confirmed that Omicron spreads at a faster, more effective rate compared to earlier virus variants, and respirators like the N95 provide those in public a boost in subsequent filtration abilities if worn correctly.

As the coronavirus sickens hundreds of health care workers across Massachusetts, some hospitals are in the dark about how many more National Guard members, if any, they should expect to receive in the coming days.

BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts hospital leaders issued a dire warning Friday that they’re “in crisis” and “every corner of our healthcare system is gasping for air.”

The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, an organization of dozens of hospitals in the state, wrote a letter to the public saying “the stability of the system hangs in the balance” during this latest surge in the pandemic.

WORCESTER, Mass. - There are currently 460 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Central Massachusetts, a number 20% higher than at any point during the first two coronavirus surges. 

UMass Memorial Health president and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson says 60% of the hospitalized patients are unvaccinated. He said it's putting a tremendous strain on staff and making it harder to find space for patients. 

WORCESTER -  Over a dozen beds fill the room at the American Red Cross blood donation center on Plantation Street. During a 45-minute visit on Wednesday afternoon, only one of them was occupied. 

“Donations are down over half nationwide,” Jeff Hall, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts, said at the door. He explained that the organization likes to keep a 3-day supply of blood; he said the state currently has just over a 1-day supply.

RANDOLPH, Mass. — The positivity rate at the Randolph Covid testing site has dropped since just after the holidays, but it’s still an astounding 30-40 percent on a day-to-day basis, said Liz LaRosee, one of the town coordinators.

“We’re taking every precaution,” LaRosee said. “I’ve got all of our volunteers wearing gloves and masks and every morning I say make sure you’re getting yourself a test just to make sure.”

The American Red Cross has declared its first-ever national blood crisis in the U.S., warning the public about the worst shortage in over a decade.

The nonprofit said in a statement this week that U.S. blood centers in recent weeks have reported "less than a one-day’s supply of blood of certain critical blood types—a dangerously low level." It noted a decline in donor turnout since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to blood drive cancellations, staffing challenges and donor eligibility misinformation.

Six in 10 Americans have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have received a diagnosis of 2 or more chronic diseases.¹ Millions of Americans live with and manage cancer; diabetes; epilepsy; Alzheimer disease; heart, lung, and kidney disease; rheumatoid arthritis; and other conditions. Many participate in ongoing medication therapy, prescribed regimens, and regular medical support.

Twenty-six million. That's how many rapid at home tests will be flooding into the state over the next three months. Those tests, according to Gov. Charlie Baker, will be earmarked for K-12 education and childcare.

Baker also deployed 500 National Guard troops to hospitals across the state in a press conference Tuesday morning.