HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama emergency services are being overwhelmed by COVID patients as ICUs around the state remain either near or at capacity.
"We're definitely seeing COVID-related symptoms. People have shortness of breath, syncopal episodes - passing out, trouble breathing, all those things are are going on," said Huntsville Hosptial President and COO Tracy Doughty.
As of August 25, Alabama hospitals are caring for 54 more ICU patients than there are formally staffed ICU beds.
"A lot of people think, 'Oh, if I go by ambulance, I'll get into the emergency room quicker," said HEMSI Spokesperson Don Webster. "That is not the case. They, that patient is still assessed and triaged by the health care people at the emergency department."
Webster says instead of going to the hospital for COVID symptoms, you may want to seek treatment at alternative health care facilities, such as fever and flu clinics, urgent care centers and primary care doctors.
Doughty says if you're facing an emergency, don't hesitate to seek care.
"By all means necessary, if you feel you need to come to the ER, please come up," said Doughty.
Doughty says the hospital has a triage system that it operates under.
"Triage is the ones that need to be seen first is what the triage systems' for. It's a level one through five system and we still take care of people that way, whether they come into the front of the ER or the back door," said Doughty.