COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Multiple hospitals in metro Atlanta were reporting "dangerously overcrowded" emergency rooms on Friday, according to the Georgia Coordinating Center dashboard.
It evaluates patient volumes on the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Scale.
"Wellstar is experiencing a significant surge in patient volumes in our Emergency Departments, Urgent Care Centers and Primary Care/Pediatric practices – primarily due to COVID-19, the flu and RSV," a spokesperson for Wellstar told 11Alive. "If you or someone you know is planning to seek care, please be patient, thank your care team and show some grace as we all manage through this challenging surge together."
Dr. Jayne Morgan, executive director of health and community Education at Piedmont Healthcare, said they are treating more people for respiratory illnesses, too.
"It is all going around. We're seeing really high levels of flu as it continues to increase and COVID cases as well," she said. "We have really low uptake of vaccines and we're seeing the result of that with these high flu numbers as well as flu hospitalizations."
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 79 flu hospitalizations for the week ending on Dec. 3. It reported 274 — more than three times that — for the week ending Dec. 30.
"We are always prepared not only for winter illnesses but really throughout the year for things that are ebbing and flowing," Dr. Morgan said. "We want to also have a good relationship with the community and to remember to not overutilize the emergency room. This is not the place to come to get tested for COVID or to get tested for the flu."
Instead, you can try your local pharmacy, including Poole's in Marietta.
"There may be options like ours to get tested on-site versus going to the ER and overloading that or going to your doctor's office and taking up a spot for someone," clinical pharmacist Johnathan Hamrick said. "(These winter illnesses) do seem to be a little heightened this year in comparison to previous years."
He said the clinic inside Poole's Pharmacy is treating about 20 patients a day. They're seeing double that pick up prescriptions for various respiratory illnesses. They're also available to help people who are feeling well.
"If you're not sick and you missed your vaccine, that it'd be a good idea to go ahead and get your flu shot," he said. "There's still time for that."
In a news release Friday evening, Georgia DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey also encouraged Georgians over the age of 6 to get a flu shot.
“Even if the vaccine doesn’t completely prevent illness from flu, it can help reduce the severity and risk of serious complications and keep people out of the hospital," Toomey said.
DPH said the flu activity is widespread in the sate, and the current flu report shows flu activity at the highest level.
The vaccine is available at public health departments. clinics, many doctor's offices, pharmacies, and other locations. Click here to find a location. For more information about the flu, visit the state's website.