MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — One leader with West Virginia University’s School of Medicine is encouraging people to seek urgent care or other medical treatment options outside of emergency rooms as these health care facilities become congested with coronavirus patients.
The state Department of Health and Human Resources on Wednesday reported 22,215 active coronavirus cases. Officials have confirmed 813 hospitalizations related to the pandemic — compared to a pandemic record of 818 patients on Jan. 5 — and a record of 252 people in intensive care. According to the department, 83.3% of hospitalized coronavirus patients are unvaccinated.
Dr. Chris Goode, the chair of the School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine, said treatments for other issues are being moved to other facilities as medical professionals handle coronavirus cases.
“Our emergency departments right now are safely and effectively taking care of people,” he said. “But, we do have hospital capacity issues we’re dealing with across the region.”
Urgent care facilities are designed for handling minor injuries and illnesses. Urgent care staff also can send patients to emergency rooms if needed.
“If you don’t feel it’s a threat to limb or anything significant like a heart attack, stroke or some surgical emergency, you should consider going to one of our local urgent care centers or even calling WVU Medicine provider,” Goode said.
People with coronavirus symptoms are advised to call a primary care doctor or medical office, as well as isolate themselves from other people to prevent spreading the virus.