Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz urged constituents to go to their primary care physicians when possible, rather than emergency rooms, if experiencing flu-like symptoms. The Assemblyman has heard from local hospitals who have said that their emergency departments have been filled in recent weeks with patients concerned about flu-like symptoms. To ensure that emergency rooms can serve all patients who need urgent care, the hospitals request that patients contact their primary care physicians first about these symptoms.
Last fall and in years prior, Assemblyman Dinowitz has sponsored flu shots at no cost to the community. Last year, he collaborated with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore Hospital, and Walgreens, as well as Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, and Council Member Andrew Cohen to provide this service. While the Assemblyman’s flu shot drive has ended, individuals who have not yet received a flu shot and are not feeling ill can still get vaccinated in many local pharmacies and hospitals.
Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “I have been informed that local emergency rooms are filled to the brim with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, which stretches the resources of emergency departments and makes it difficult for staff to serve all patients in need. Instead, medical professionals are recommending that individuals experiencing flu-like symptoms contact their primary care physicians or visit a walk-in clinic for an initial diagnosis. As we are in the midst of peak flu season now, I urge Bronx residents to make sure that they and their families get flu shots, if they haven’t already.”
Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and Staff -
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!
