Doctors from throughout the region Wednesday called for the community to do more to slow what they’re calling the most severe surge in COVID-19 illnesses since the pandemic started. Doctors say increasing numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients in hospitals affect access to healthcare for everyone. Doctors are calling for emergency declarations in both Kansas and Missouri to open the door for federal help, including additional facilities and military staffing to care for a surging number of COVID-19 patients, which doctors say aren’t receiving the proper care they need. Eighteen chief medical officers and infectious disease doctors from throughout the region say they are fighting to overcome the perception that the omicron variant is no big deal.