unvaccinated, could still strain hospitals in some places like cleveland, ohio. we are overwhelmed. our icus, our hospitals are overwhelmed. reporter: the cleveland clinic recently joining five area hospital systems pleading with residents in this ad to get vaccinated. our emergency rooms are really being over crowded because of the recent surge we have seen with covid-19 hospitalizations. and this is preventible. this is what is important. reporter: but the hospital picture nationwide appears more promising. doctors are applauding the fda s decision today granting emergency use authorization to a second antiviral pill. this one from merck. that people can take at home. adding another covid fighting weapon to the nation s armory. being able to have something oral is so easy. easier than giving an iv infusion that you can get before you get to the hospital. that will help decompress the hospitals and save lives. reporter: so far while new