WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Officials with Aspirus Health are reminding patients to plan ahead when asking for COVID-19 tests, and not go to the emergency room.
“We have been seeing very high volumes of patients that have been coming to us for either COVID testing or treatment of COVID-related symptoms,” said Andrea Allard, Aspirus Vice President of Operations for Aspirus Medical Group. “We saw a significant spike right around the week of Christmas and we’ve really maintained those high volumes.”
Allard says anyone who goes to an emergency room for testing will strain an already overwhelmed system. “This is causing us to dedicate more resources to COVID-19,” Allard said. “At the same time, we’re facing the same staffing challenges as everyone else. So, we continue to need to do more with less.”
Those who need testing are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time or utilize sites that specialize in testing such as those run by a local health department or pharmacy.
Aspirus also offers a COVID-19 hotline at 1-844-568-0701. Additionally, the Marathon County Health Department launched a COVID-19 resource hotline this week at 715-261-1999.
Allard adds that just like other hospitals, Aspirus has been postponing non-emergency or elective procedures to save bed space for those being treated for COVID-19.
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