Dear friends,/
Our community is experiencing a surge of flu cases flooding the Emergency Rooms of all of our local hospitals, creating long wait times and crowded conditions. Additionally, this backlog puts those who are seeking medical treatment for other conditions at risk of contracting the flu while awaiting care.
To decrease the number of Emergency Room cases, our local hospitals have asked us to ask for your cooperation. They suggest that you take the following actions if you feel you may have contracted the flu virus:
1. Get a flu shot. Flu shots are widely available at your doctor’s office, urgent care centers and local pharmacies.
2. If you have flu-like symptoms, call your primary care provider (PCP) immediately. They will do an initial triage and may be able to recommend treatment immediately and effectively.
3. Avoid the Emergency Room if at all possible, unless a doctor tells you otherwise. If you cannot go to your PCP, consider going to an urgent care center or other walk-in clinics. The waiting times at urgent care centers is often much shorter than the Emergency Room, and they are fully equipped to handle a variety of illnesses and injuries, including the flu.
With your help, we can reduce the case loads and waiting times at Emergency Rooms in our borough and reduce the risk of spreading the flu.
Spread the word to your friends and neighbors. We wish you a happy, safe and healthy season!
Kind regards,
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Staff