While the change is described as being temporary, Patient First currently has no idea when it will return to normal operating hours.
The company couldn’t tell how much the increase in patient visits was due to COVID-19 infections.
“Our increase in patient visits is not due to any specific illness or set of symptoms,” said Taylor Robertson, director of community relations for Patient First.
Robertson said a number of patients are currently entering with upper respiratory symptoms, which is not uncommon. “These cases usually make up a large percentage of our visits,” said Robertson. “Some of these patients test positive for COVID-19, but most do not. We are also seeing an increase in visits for various routine injuries and illnesses.”
The company also couldn’t tell how many of the patients were coming to Patient First after being diverted from hospitals or other healthcare providers.
“Any answer we give would be speculative,” said Robertson.
While Patient First failed to indicate a distraction from patient, Dr. Todd Parker, an emergency physician and president-elect of the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, reported that hospital emergency rooms across the state are seeing an increase in patient numbers.
Parker said Friday he couldn’t speak directly about the impact on emergency centers, but “our emergency rooms have seen a huge surge in volume and have been for months.”