San Diegans urged not to go to emergency units for Covid tests

SAN DIEGO – San Diego health officials have urged the public to stay away from local emergency departments for Covid-19 testing amid a spike in the number of positive cases.

San Diego County reported that local medical units are experiencing an increase in hospitalizations for Covid-19, as well as staff shortages due to the disease, so clinics are preserving their resources for patients who are in serious condition.

It was also recommended that people concerned about the disease and others seeking Covid-19 testing only go to a hospital if they have critical symptoms.

“Don’t go to an emergency department just to get tested, and only go when you have symptoms that need emergency care,” said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of public health for the County.

Health care providers in the region reportedly offer testing to members who meet each system’s criteria; different pharmacies even offer same-day testing, as do other locations. The county, which has about 10% of the area’s testing capacity, has a network of public centers where diagnostics can be requested at no cost and do not require an appointment.

All testing centers have the capacity to perform about 45,000 tests per day. Rapid antigen test is available at many local pharmacies and are a good option if a center is not available.

Those who test positive on a rapid test should follow the guidance of health services and generally do not need a confirmatory PCR test unless directed by a physician.

According to health officials, a total of 6.26 million vaccines have been administered in San Diego. At least 2.47 million people have completed their inoculation schedule, representing 78.5% of the total population, while 820,766 boosters have been administered.

As of December 29, 2021, the city of San Diego reported a cumulative 4,495 deaths in the pandemic and a total of 465,607 confirmed positive Covid-19 cases.

Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff