Wesley Healthcare officials say more people are going to the emergency rooms to ask for coronavirus testing, and that’s creating a problem

Wesley chief medical officer Lowell Ebersole said patients can only be tested if they meet strict criteria, and most of the people requesting the tests are being sent home.  He said the influx is clogging up the emergency rooms and interfering with the staff’s ability to care for patients who need urgent attention.

Dr. Ebersole said Wesley is not a designated testing site and it’s not a public testing location.   He said it’s hoped that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will take action to set up public testing sites in the near future, but all Wesley can do at this point is test those that meet the criteria established by KDHE and the Centers for Disease Control.

People who are concerned about the COVID-19 virus can simply quarantine themselves at home.  If symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath become severe, people should call their doctor or go to the ER.

Wesley also encourages people with severe symptoms to call before they arrive so healthcare workers can be prepared to take precautions.