Health Professionals and Fire and EMS personnel from the entire region gathered Thursday at the Berglund to sound the alarm that Emergency Rooms and Hospitals are running out of space. Salem Fire and EMS Chief John Prillaman spoke at the event, represeting all first responders in the area and here are some of the main points from the unified message.
If you have a non-life-threatening illness or injury, or you simply need a COVID-19 test, please consider primary care, urgent care or retail pharmacy, instead of jamming-up emergency rooms.
With the rapid spread of the Delta variant, COVID-19 has been relentless and unforgiving and the impact that the virus has had on our region weighs on all of us. It’s even more difficult when preventable emergency room traffic complicates delivering care to those in true need.
Health officials are here to protect you, but they need your help. The Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts, of which Salem, Roanoke County and Roanoke are members, saw over 1,200 new cases just last week and more than 400 in the last two days. Physicians continue to urge the public to get vaccinated and wear a mask. The face covering is needed, at this time, regardless of your vaccination status. Taking these steps could save a loved one in your family who may not be able to get into an emergency room otherwise.
You can watch the news conference at this LINK.
You can also view the Public Service Announcement produced by RVTV with various Cheifs from the region at this LINK.