News

POSTED: January 27th, 2022
POSTED IN: MOCEP, News,

Jefferson City, MO —Emergency departments in Missouri are filling with patients who have COVID-19 and other medical emergencies. Seeking routine COVID tests at a testing site and managing mild to moderate illnesses at home can help make sure patients can access emergency care when they need it, said the Missouri College of Emergency Physicians (MOCEP).   

“Never ignore the signs of a medical emergency,” said Christopher Sampson, MD, FACEP, President of MOCEP. “But keep in mind that medical staff and resources across Missouri are getting stretched to the limit. If you are just looking for a routine COVID test, consider visiting a testing site or taking a test at home first.”

Emergency physicians continue to voice concerns about capacity issues, staffing challenges and resource constraints. As of January 26, in Missouri, more than 3,700 patients are hospitalized, and the daily average of new cases is more than 9,000.

“Our hospitals have been more crowded recently than at any other point during the pandemic,” said Dr. Sampson. “Fortunately, those who are vaccinated are more likely to experience mild or moderate symptoms and can treat COVID at home. It is very worrisome that nearly all of the patients with severe COVID in the emergency department are unvaccinated.”  

Everyone eligible should get the vaccine and a booster shot. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that unvaccinated individuals are 10 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 and 20 times more likely to die of COVID-19. For the vaccinated, common symptoms associated with the Omicron variant include head or body aches and other similarities with the common cold. This version of the virus may not include a loss of sense of taste or smell.

Other symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Everyone should follow national and local guidelines that include wearing a mask in crowded spaces, social distancing, regular hand washing, and staying at home if you are sick.

“It is critical that we all try to take the steps that we know can slow the spread of the virus. There is a point where there will be no more room in our hospitals, whether a patient has COVID or anything else,” said Dr. Sampson. “Let’s do all we can to avoid that scenario and make sure that emergency physicians are available to care for those who are severely ill.”

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The Missouri College of Emergency Physicians (MOCEP) is a not for profit organization created to support and advocate for Emergency Medical Physicians (EMPs) practicing in the state of Missouri. MOCEP is a state chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). To find out more, go to www.mocep.org.

Media contact information:

Sarah Luebbert, Executive Director
[email protected]

573-636-2144