PASCO COUNTY, FL. – Hospital emergency rooms are currently being inundated with patients and the time it takes to be seen in an emergency room is skyrocketing across our community.
Many hospitals are at or over capacity and ambulances are currently holding patients at hospitals for hours at a time due to a lack of available beds and hospital staff.
This is causing an ambulance shortage across the county and is causing long wait times for 911 callers.
“As Pasco County Fire Chief, I’m asking every resident and visitor of Pasco County, and the bay area, to stay vigilant. Unvaccinated residents ages 12 and older should consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine, which is available through your physician, local pharmacy, retail outlet, and all urgent care centers, ” said Chief Cassin.
“If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as fever, sore throat, or cough, contact your physician, urgent care center, pharmacy, or the Department of Health for testing, to help reduce the impact on area emergency departments,” Cassin continued.
Please help EMS agencies from around the bay area provide life-saving interventions for those who truly need them. If your 911 call is not an emergency that needs immediate medical attention such as chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke, serious trauma, or other life-threatening illness or injury, please consider contacting your doctor’s office, utilizing a walk-in clinic, or urgent care center.
This will get you the help you need in a timelier manner while at the same time assisting currently overworked staff at hospitals.
Remember, 911 is only for true emergencies. For non-emergent issues, visit your doctor, walk-in clinic, or urgent care center, and let’s all do our part to save the ambulances and ER visits for those who urgently need those services.
Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. It’s Free And Coming To Apple Users Soon