A Billings physician is recommending that people who feel they have COVID-19 symptoms avoid making the emergency room the first place they go unless they have more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath.
“We know that ERs are going to be inundated with patients, so we are trying to take some of that work load off of them,” said Dr. Brad Fuller on Tuesday.
With the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, health professionals are expecting more emergency room visits.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Montana was at 46 Tuesday afternoon. Eight cases are in Yellowstone County. These numbers are being updated twice daily.
Fuller recommends that if you do not have a primary care physician, visit to the nearest walk-in clinic or call his office.
“They can call our office, and we can talk to them over the telephone to see what their risks are and potential for COVID-19. Depending on the results, we may send them to the emergency department if they are ill enough, or we may have them come in here just to get the ball rolling and ask them more questions and examine them” said Fuller.
