The scene inside United Memorial Medical Center in Houston has become all too familiar: Overwhelmed medical staff fighting to curb the wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients that come through the hospital's doors every day. While in earlier pandemic hot spots like New York the medical emergency has subsided, Texas is among the many U.S. states battling a resurgence of the virus that is straining their healthcare systems. Dr. Joseph Varon, the chief medical officer of United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC,) said he is afraid he will soon face a dilemma many doctors elsewhere said they confronted earlier in the pandemic: Deciding who to save. "I'm afraid that at some point in time I'm going have to make some very serious decisions," he told Reuters in an interview. "I'm starting to get the idea that I cannot save everybody." Varon, 58, is overseeing the hospital's unit dedicated to COVID-19 patients, where he said he tends to an average of 40 people a day. He said he signed more death certificates in the last week than at any point in his career. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "COVID-19 HOUSTON VARON" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Matching Text: HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/USA-TEXAS

The scene inside United Memorial Medical Center in Houston has become all too familiar: Overwhelmed medical staff fighting to curb the wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients that come through the hospital's doors every day. While in earlier pandemic hot spots like New York the medical emergency has subsided, Texas is among the many U.S. states battling a resurgence of the virus that is straining their healthcare systems. Dr. Joseph Varon, the chief medical officer of United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC,) said he is afraid he will soon face a dilemma many doctors elsewhere said they confronted earlier in the pandemic: Deciding who to save. "I'm afraid that at some point in time I'm going have to make some very serious decisions," he told Reuters in an interview. "I'm starting to get the idea that I cannot save everybody." Varon, 58, is overseeing the hospital's unit dedicated to COVID-19 patients, where he said he tends to an average of 40 people a day. He said he signed more death certificates in the last week than at any point in his career. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "COVID-19 HOUSTON VARON" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Matching Text: HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/USA-TEXAS

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, sits near a street cat, one of many that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

A cat looks on at Philippine Brenda Kasen's home, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, and feeds street cats that gathers during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, sits with her dogs prior feeding street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, prepares to feed street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Cats wait for food on the roof of Philippine Brenda Kasen's house, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, and feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, feeds street cats that gather during mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

A cat carries her kitten at the house of Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, and feeds street cats that gathers at mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

A cat looks on at the home of Brenda Kasen of Philippines, who has been living in Jordan for 16 years and recently lost her job as a babysitter due to concerns over the coronavirus, and feeds street cats that gathers at mealtime at her home in Amman, Jordan, April 23, 2020. Picture taken April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A federal medical station for up to 125 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is set up to ease strain at county hospitals, in Indio, California, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A federal medical station for up to 125 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is set up to ease strain at county hospitals, in Indio, California, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A federal medical station for up to 125 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is set up to ease strain at county hospitals, in Indio, California, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A federal medical station for up to 125 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is set up to ease strain at county hospitals, in Indio, California, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A federal medical station for up to 125 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients is set up to ease strain at county hospitals, in Indio, California, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Worker Jabar, 40, from Iraq harvests Carmagnola hemp strain plants at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 27, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Cannabis grower and Crohn's disease patient, Giorgos Avgeris, 35, inspects drying Carmagnola hemp strain branches, in Trikala, Greece, August 29, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 29, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Branches of harvested Carmagnola hemp strain plants are seen in a car at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 27, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Leaves of a Carmagnola hemp strain plant are silhouetted as the sun sets at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 29, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 29, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Pavlos Loukas, 38, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, helps at the harvest of Carmagnola hemp strain plants at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 27, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Cannabis grower and Crohn's disease patient, Giorgos Avgeris, 35, inspects harvested Carmagnola hemp strain plants, at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 27, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Workers Jabar, 40, from Iraq (R) and Murat, 46, from Syria, harvest Carmagnola hemp strain plants at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 27, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 27, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Cannabis grower and Crohn's disease patient, Giorgos Avgeris, 35, inspects plants of the Carmagnola hemp strain at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 25, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Plants of the Carmagnola hemp strain are seen during nighttime at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 25, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Leaves of a Carmagnola hemp strain plant at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 26, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Cannabis grower and Crohn's disease patient, Giorgos Avgeris, 35, inspects plants of the Carmagnola hemp strain at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 25, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Ekati Alchemy Lab manager in Greece, Giorgos Moutafidis, 39, inspects plants of the Carmagnola hemp strain at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 26, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 26, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Cannabis grower and Crohn's disease patient, Giorgos Avgeris, 35, inspects plants of the Carmagnola hemp strain at a medical cannabis plantation in Trikala, Greece, August 25, 2019. Thousands of patients in Greece are thought to use cannabis for a range of serious medical conditions but for years many of them had to buy it illegally. Under Greece's current licensing system introduced in 2017, medicinal cannabis products are available on prescription from pharmacies, with patients with ailments such as multiple sclerosis saying it has been a life-changer for them. Picture taken August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

The trade war between the U.S. and China has put strain on the global economy and shaken the confidence of manufacturers around the world. embed code and instructions: https://reut.rs/33PgUqC

The trade war between the U.S. and China has put strain on the global economy and shaken the confidence of manufacturers around the world. embed code and instructions: https://reut.rs/33PgUqC

Hidaya Rayabu (C), 22, laughs with her husband, Mohammed, who holds their six-day-old daughter Jamillah in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, March 4, 2019. Mohammed travels for two hours by bus twice a week to see his wife and baby who are staying with female relatives for the first 30 days after giving birth to reduce the strain of taking care of the household. REUTERS/Nicky Woo SEARCH "TANZANIA HEALTH" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Team members strain to pull a DHL Boeing 757 aircraft for twenty metres during a charity fundraising event at the Safi Aviation Park in Safi, Malta May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

A jar filled with the Berry Blossom strain of hemp sits at Beezy Bees in the Staten Island borough of New York, U.S., March 20, 2019. Picture taken March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

An employee discuses various marijuana strains with a customer at the Fire and Flower store as the first legal cannabis stores open in the province of Ontario, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, April 1, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

Blanca Eschbach, 32, poses for a portrait with her daughter Olivia on her first day back at work after a 10-week maternity leave in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., March 4, 2019. Blanca is a psychology coordinator at South Texas Children's home and her husband, Jonathan, 30, works as a merchandiser at Home Depot. "I'm just now getting...to know her and her routine and her cues, and now I have to turn her over to these strangers to help me raise her while I'm at work", Blanca said. "I feel like I'm...missing out on her during this very important time." The United States is the only industrialised nation that does not guarantee paid family leave to its citizens, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and many families are faced with difficult choices, which can result in huge financial and emotional strain. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare SEARCH "MOTHERS GLOBAL" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Argentina's peso, which lost half its value against the dollar last year, has stabilised in 2019 and strengthened vs the greenback. This strength has seen the currency regularly trade outside a band agreed with the International Monetary Fund and prompted the central bank to snap up a billion dollars to help rein in the peso. embed code and instructions: https://reut.rs/2EkOI4P

An HIV positive man strains a mixture of water and shredded leaves of the tropical tree guasimo in Caracas, Venezuela, December 10, 2018. Picture taken December 10, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Two confirmed cases of the Asian epidemic strain of Zika in Angola and 72 microcephaly cases since February 2017 offer "strong evidences" of a Zika-linked cluster.

A cow walks away from a water tank in a drought-effected paddock on farmer Tom Wollaston's property located west of the town of Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia, June 2, 2018. "I can't seem to be able to do anything else apart from just feed, and keep things going, and it (the drought) seems to be one step ahead of me all the time. We'll battle it out, but it puts a strain on everyone," said Wollaston. REUTERS/David Gray SEARCH "AUSTRALIA DROUGHT" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Iran's oil exports could fall by as much as two-thirds by the end of the year because of new U.S. sanctions, putting oil markets under huge strain amid supply outages elsewhere in the world.