Two weeks ago we did a story about how heart attack Emergency Room visits have declined across the country. It turns out that was just the tip of the iceberg for hospitals like St. Joseph's that have now been seeing about a 50 percent decrease in ER patients over the last few weeks.

Dr. Olivia Andrade is an Emergency Department doctor at the hospital and describes what she is used to seeing but hasn't been seeing as much.

“Acute surgical emergencies. We’re not seeing abdominal pain that tends to be a frequent complaint here in the ED. I do wonder what happened to these patients who presented here with concerns of acute appendicitis or an obstructed stone where the pain was not able to be controlled,” said Andrade.

Instead of getting the proper healthcare, it’s a concern that these patients are suffering at home.

“I think people have been scared with the COVID pandemic and they’re probably too afraid to come,” said Andrade.

To alleviate these fears, Dr. Andrade wants patients to know that proper precautions are in place, like COVID screenings at entrances, which allows them to place those patients in the appropriate care space area.

“We want to tell them that the ER is a safe place to be. We are ready for them. We are ready to take care of them in a safe manner,” said Andrade.  

It’s also important to note that if you’re dealing with a medical issue, timeliness of care is vital.

“Always call 911 if you don’t have someone to bring you into the hospital. If you have a primary care doctor or you’re on the fence do try to contact them first. Through their processing they should be able to direct you to the Emergency Department. But do know we are here and ready to take care of you,” Andrade said.

Hospitals and doctors are also conducting Telehealth visits so you can assess your symptoms in a video call. To find out more on that, contact your provider.