Memorializing lives lost, soaring hospitalizations: The top COVID-19 stories on Friday

Across the state, 13,094 Texas were hospitalized with the virus Thursday, including more than 4,000 in North Texas. Both numbers are on the verge of breaking records.

Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 today:

North Texas is one patient away from tying hospitalization record

COVID-positive hospitalizations in North Texas reached 4,171 on Thursday as the region has yet to reach the peak of the omicron variant.

Memorializing lives lost

Rosie Davis created the Yellow Heart Memorial to honor her mother and the 800,000 American lives lost to the pandemic.

Disappearing immigrant workers

Labor shortages are rippling through the service and construction industries, pushing up wages even among undocumented workers. Legal immigration has been hurt just as much.

‘The hardest job you’ll ever love’

Nursing homes nationwide are struggling with staffing shortages as the pandemic rages on.