The Medical Center Hospital Emergency Department will no longer be testing for COVID-19 or other viruses, unless that person needs to be hospitalized or has an emergency medical attention that needs immediate treatment, a news release detailed.
“We’re asking people that if they are showing no signs or symptoms of illness and are simply looking for a COVID-19 test or are just showing mild symptoms, to please visit their provider, one of our Urgent Cares, or a city testing site,” the hospital said in a statement.
“We are asking the community to leave the Emergency Department for true medical emergencies and those who are exhibiting serious symptoms and need immediate medical treatment,” the statement said.
It said the ER will still test for COVID-19 and other viruses, but only if a patient needs to be hospitalized or has an emergency medical condition that requires immediate treatment.
It asks that you contact your provider or visit one of the urgent care clinics for COVID testing at JBS Parkway, 3001 JBS Parkway, 432-640-6700; or West University, 6030 W. University Blvd., 432-640-6600.
Patients with mild symptoms (fever, cough, body aches, runny nose, sinus congestion, sore throat) that can be treated with over-the-counter medications will be referred to alternative treatment sites.
There is currently no specific treatment locally available to treat the Omicron variant of COVID-19. A medical screening by a qualified medial provider will be performed to assess for an emergency medical condition, the release said.
