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Kaiser Permanente says its Downey emergency room is diverting ambulances because it has been overwhelmed with COVID-19 and flu patients.
They say that is because the latest COVID-19 surge, spurred on by the highly contagious Omicron variant, has put a tremendous strain on every hospital and health care system in Southern California.
Yesterday, Los Angeles County reported its highest number of new cases since the pandemic started, 37,215 new cases on Thursday, of which Downey registered 500 infected residents.
“Diversion is commonly used to deal with overloaded hospitals and ensures that ambulances will efficiently get patients to facilities for care,” a statement from KP said. And they emphasized; “Diversion is only done when it is absolutely necessary whether it is done for just a few hours or a full day“.
Besides, KP says they “are employing this tactic judiciously at our Downey Medical Center and may be forced to do the same at other facilities“, and they end; “This is done in a careful and coordinated manner with the local County EMS and is very fluid“.
KP overwhelmed by Covid test seekers as well
At the same time, Kaiser Downey has seen high demand for Covid testing since late December, with lines of cars lasting up to three hours.
“The demand for testing has put a particular strain on hospitals, and we are asking everyone to only go to Emergency Rooms and Urgent care for medical emergencies, and not for COVID-19 testing“. And they invited residents to visit other sites; “You can also get a test at any City or County site, or go to a pharmacy“.
