Evansville, Ind. — Emergency rooms in Evansville are filling up as hospitals report a significant rise in respiratory illnesses, with the flu leading the charge. Doctors in the Tri-State area, including Dr. Matthew Gilbert from Deaconess Hospital, are describing this flu season as one of the worst in recent memory.
“Our hospital is full,” Dr. Gilbert shared. “Once we discharge one patient, another takes their place. Ambulances are continuously arriving. It’s always busy here.”
The overwhelming number of patients being admitted to the hospital includes both younger and older individuals who are at higher risk of complications. As hospital staff work around the clock to treat the influx of patients, some healthcare workers have also become ill, further exacerbating staffing challenges.
Dr. Gilbert emphasized the critical role the community plays in reducing the strain on hospitals. He urged anyone who is sick to stay home and to avoid spreading illness.
“If you do have to go out and you’re sick, wear a mask,” he advised. “The mask isn’t to protect yourself, it’s to protect others from you. Wash your hands frequently and stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours.”
As hospitals across the region continue to deal with the surge in cases, healthcare providers are calling on the public to take precautions seriously to help reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
