Virginia health officials urge those with mild COVID-19, Flu symptoms to avoid emergency room visits

Virginia health officials and hospital leaders released a statement urging the public to avoid emergency room visits for mild cases of COVID-19 and the Flu. Those with mild or moderate symptoms of these illnesses can be adequately treated at urgent care clinics and by primary care physicians.

According to a press release, non-emergent ER visits can cause not only delays for those having a serious medical crisis, but it depletes resources such as staff availability, protective equipment, and therapeutic treatments. Health officials in the Commonwealth urge anyone who has not already done so to get vaccinated for COVID-19 to lessen the chances of hospitalization if the virus is contracted.

Read the full statement here.

(Image: Virginia Dept. of Health)