OAK LAWN, IL (WTAQ) — An Advocate Aurora Doctor says healthcare workers are stretched to their limit over the current Omicron COVID-19 surge.
Dr. Robert Citronberg, Executive Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Advocate Aurora Health says the workers are additionally stressed by people coming to the emergency room with symptoms or for COVID-19 tests when they shouldn’t.
“The vast majority of people do not need to go to the emergency department [with COVID symptoms],” Citronberg told the media Wednesday. “Visits really should be limited to emergencies, and with COVID that’s shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.”
Testing, too, is difficult, with wait times high.
“It’s been a challenge due to a limited amount of testing supplies both for at-home kits, as well as at testing locations,” said Citronberg.
He stresses that if you have symptoms, you should get tested–and isolate until you get your results.
Hospitals across the state have been concerned in recent weeks as over 2,200 COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized, with 486 in the ICU. Only 46 ICU beds in the state are immediately available as of Wednesday.
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