Return to work note requests overwhelm health care system
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Hospitals and county health departments are overwhelmed by COVID-19.
Local hospitals are still upset that people are taking up space in the Emergency Room for a COVID-19 test.
RELATED: HSHS St. John's: Don't go to the ER for COVID-19 tests
The latest requests overwhelming the system are for notes to return to work and school.
Memorial Health reports record numbers of patients being seen in its Urgent Care with 8,000 visits since Jan. 1, 2022.
That equals out to be approximately 200 patients a day at each of Memorial Health's urgent care facilities.
Memorial Health says while most patients should be there, only a certain type should come in.
“We do not, at Memorial Urgent Care, take care of or see patients that are asymptomatic because some patients need a release to go back to work or a release for school or a test of cure. We do not do that type of testing. We only test if you're symptomatic,” said Anne Richie, clinical director at Memorial Health Urgent Care.
Anne Richie says she would like people to talk to their employers about the requirements.
"If you look at CDC and IDPH guidelines you do not need a negative test to come back to work,” Richie said.
Richie went on to say that in the long run, not taking an extra test to go back to work could save the community from facing a testing shortage.
"Even if you get a test on day five of your symptoms and you want a release to go back to work the next day it probably won't happen,” Richie said.
With contact tracing, it may be a two-day turnaround if not longer to receive a result.
Macon County Health Department is also asking for employers not to require release letters anymore.
"Many people are needing letters to get back to when they should have been released. And because the system is so overwhelmed they are not able to get them quickly. And so, we do ask you to consider that if your place of employment would be appropriate for that,” said Brandi Brinkley with the Macon County Health Department.
If you need a note, health officials say your primary care provider is the best person to go to.
They say that's especially true if you did an at-home test because the state wouldn't know about you testing positive.
Health officials say the emergency room is for emergencies and those with severe COVID-19 symptoms; Cold and flu symptoms are for urgent care.
They can test you at the urgent care but be prepared to wait and officials would prefer you try finding a testing center in the community first.
