NorCal first responders: Do not go to ER for mild COVID-19 symptoms
Hospital emergency rooms and first responders are reminding people to only use their services during emergencies. Calling 911 if you have minor COVID-19 symptoms does not count as one.
At a time when they are already busy during the COVID-19 surge, they say they are also seeing more people relying on emergency services when they do not need to be.
For instance, Sacramento Metro Fire said it has seen an uptick in people calling 911 with minor COVID-19 symptoms, like a headache or a low-grade fever.
"According to our protocols, if somebody says, 'I want to go to the hospital,' we are obligated to take them. No matter what," said Capt. Parker Wilbourn with the fire department.
He is encouraging people to try other avenues instead if it is not truly a life-threatening emergency.
"If you have minor flu-like symptoms, contact your primary care doctor and get their guidance before utilizing the 911 system," Wilbourn said.
Local hospital emergency rooms are facing similar challenges.
"I think people feel comfortable coming to the ER now, maybe too comfortable. So, we're seeing people we probably don't need to be here," said Dr. Sara Medeiros, an associate professor of emergency medicine with UC Davis Health.
UC Davis Medical Center said the number of patients treated in the Emergency Department hit an all-time high two weeks ago at more than 300 people in one day.
"I think this hospital has been here for 150 years or so, and this is the busiest we’ve ever seen it," Dr. Medeiros said.
Driving that number up was an influx of people showing up just to get a COVID-19 test.
"If you are exposed or worried you might have COVID but you don't know yet, there's a good chance you could get it in our ER. So, if you don't have any symptoms, it's definitely not the place to be," Dr. Medeiros said.
Hospitals are asking people to use community-based testing sites if they need a COVID-19 test instead of relying on emergency rooms.