Covid-19 cases rise after holidays, hospitals urge patients with mild symptoms to stay home

After the holiday celebrations and family gatherings have subsided, hospitals are now bracing for what could be a wave of patients coming to the emergency rooms for Covid-19. To make sure there are enough hospital beds, the Virginia Department of Health and hospitals are urging that only people with serious illness visit emergency rooms. 

Hospitals in Virginia have recently had an influx of patients with asymptomatic or mild Covid-19 symptoms seeking emergency care. VCU Health System hospitals are also reporting that patients have been visiting emergency rooms for screening purposes. 

"Our emergency departments won't turn anyone away, but there are better options that are faster and cheaper for testing, including primary care practices and county testing sites," said Michael Stevens, M.D., interim hospital epidemiologist at VCU Health.

There are a number of Covid-19 testing sites that residents can find near them through the Virginia Department of Health website. 

On Jan. 2, new cases jumped in Virginia to 19,500. On Dec. 23 before the holidays, the Department of Health reported 6,473 new cases. Also on Jan. 2, there were 556 new hospitalizations, down from 132 new hospitalization on Dec. 23. As of Jan. 4, there are nearly 3,000 people hospitalized due to Covid-19. 

More: Petersburg COVID cases up 135.7%; Virginia cases surge 92.5%

"With the prevalence of the Delta and Omicron variants in our community, combined with high numbers of unvaccinated individuals, we have seen a consistent rise in both hospitalizations and Emergency Department visits related to COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms," said Jenna Green, Communications Manager from Bon Secours-Southside Medical Center. 

“Virginia’s caregivers have worked nonstop to serve their communities throughout this pandemic. They are feeling the strain of yet another surge and are looking to the community for support,” said Steve Arner, Carilion Clinic Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the Chair of the VHHA Board of Directors. “It’s crucial for community members to seek the appropriate level of care, ensuring that emergency rooms are reserved for emergencies.  Of course, the best support that you can give is to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.”

Joyce Chu is the Social Justice Watchdog Reporter for The Progress Index. Contact her at Jchu1@gannett.com or on Twitter @joyce_speaks.