by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – Keeping hospital capacity available for treating COVID-19 patients has been a key push during the pandemic, but decreasing patient volumes and fewer emergency department visits aren’t all good news. Hospital Sisters Health System, which operates Sheboygan’s St. Nicholas Hospital, says it’s a national trend caused by people delaying needed care because of the coronavirus shutdown and worries of contracting the disease.
Dr. Kyle McCarty, an emergency medicine physician with HSHS hospitals, says people should never forgo or delay getting emergency medical care, even in the middle of a pandemic. McCarty said that hospitals have always taken measures to prevent the spread of disease, now including COVID-19, and emergencies don’t take a break.
He said that anyone with troubling symptoms or injury should seek immediate attention and call 911 if needed.