County Officials Urge Residents Not To Go To Hospital For COVID-19 Test

Daytona Beach, FL – In the midst of another spike in COVID-19 cases, Volusia County officials want to remind residents NOT to go to the hospital for a COVID-19 test. County officials, along with medical personnel from AdventHealth and Halifax Health, instead urge residents to go to a community testing site within the county. A map of available testing sites can be found through the Florida Department of Health website. “Emergency rooms are just that, a place to treat medical emergencies,” said Volusia County Interim Public Protection Director Mark Swanson. Swanson said anyone who is experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms should seek immediate care. But visiting the emergency room without any actual need could run the risk of overwhelming medical professionals, who are feeling the strain yet again as cases rise. This news comes as a report from the US Department of Health and Human Services found that over 70 percent of Florida’s available hospital beds are occupied, including about 74 percent of ICU beds. At the same time, the number of pediatric hospitalizations has grown, and a recent study from NBC found that Florida is one of the top five contributors to that rise. Currently, out of the 6,000-plus hospitalized with COVID-19 in Florida, 170 are children. That’s up from the 52 pediatric patients reported back in December. Doctors and other professionals echo the same message they’ve had for months: a vaccine is your best defense against the Omicron variant. With symptoms often remaining mild, some say that the new variant is nothing more than the common cold. Physicians have since come out to remind people to treat the virus more seriously than the common cold. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to wear a face mask, wash your hands, and get a COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re looking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, be sure to visit the state health department’s vaccine locator to find an opportunity closest to you. Helpful Links COVID-19 Testing Locations in Florida Monoclonal Treatment Sites in Florida Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Locator