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People without symptoms urged not to visit emergency room for COVID-19 testing

Marian Medical Center
Dignity Health

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Physicians at Marian Regional Medical Center are urging people to refrain from going to the emergency room requesting COVID-19 testing unless they have the three primary symptoms associated with the virus: cough, fever and difficulty breathing.

Those who arrive at the emergency room or at urgent care will be advised to contact their primary care physician if they don't have those symptoms.

During a period from Friday night through Saturday, hospital officials estimated 70 percent of the people coning to the ER requesting COVID-19 testing did not display the symptoms associated with it. The term "walking well" is used in health care for people who seek treatment without displaying any symptoms.

On Saturday night, Marian officials told NewsChannel 12 the staff currently has sufficient swab test kits for those who have symptoms, but, like the rest of the country, not enough for those who are not symptomatic.

On Monday, Dignity Health Care will be erecting tent facilities outside hospitals and urgent care facilities in Orcutt, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, Templeton and Atascadero. Those will open on Tuesday to address walk-in patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus

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