Health officials urge patients not to delay medical care during pandemic

Health officials at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford are urging patients not to delay routine or emergency medical care because of COVID-19 concerns.

Alicia rubin.

Health officials at asante rogue regional medical center say those concerns are valid, especially during a time of uncertainty.

When the lockdown started, officials saw a nearly thirty-five percent decrease in patients coming to the emergency department.

Since then, that has gone down to thirteen percent.

While the numbers are improving, there are still people delaying medical care.

Officials say if you have symptoms that would normally send you to the emergency room, you should still go, even during the pandemic.

"only the patient or, you know, you, uh, my audience can tell if what you're experiencing is a medical emergency.

Um, so i would just encourage people if they're concerned that they're experiencing an emergency, you know, you should go and seek care."

Wilson says minor illnesses or injuries can be taken care of outside