Contra Costa County health officials and Kaiser Permanente urged residents this week to only go to the hospital if seriously ill in an effort to prevent medical centers from becoming overcrowded.
Contra Costa Health Services and Kaiser announced a partnership Tuesday to inform county residents about at-home treatment and recovery tips for common illnesses that don’t normally require hospitalization.
With the county still simultaneously treating patients for COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as other maladies, people should only call 911 or seek hospital care in an emergency, since most common illnesses can be resolved with over-the-counter cold and flu medicine.
“The good news is most people who get sick can safely recover from home,” said Dr. Sofe’ Mekuria, the county’s deputy health officer. “We want people to know the home care options available to them and know how to prepare themselves so they can recover quickly and safely if they get sick.”
As part of the partnership, CCHS and Kaiser plan to make guidance information available to local schools, businesses and community organizations.
COVID-related hospitalizations have declined slightly in January after hovering around 100 patients countywide in late December. As of Wednesday, 75 county residents are hospitalized with COVID, including 10 in intensive care.
Residents are advised to stay home when sick, drink sufficient fluids and avoid others to reduce the spread of common illnesses.
Contra Costa Health Plan members and people without health insurance can also contact the county’s advice nurse at (877) 661-6230 if they are unsure whether they should seek medical attention for their illness.
18 comments
This article from the 2020 is chilling. Too bad they made them skip this logical, evidence-based plan with centuries of precedent. Could have saved a lot of lives if they had.
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But how will folks know that their onset of a mild illness is not something worse?
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According to liberals, healthcare is a “right” and they scared the bejeezus out everyone thus requiring healthcare insurance 24/7.
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IF YOU’RE FEELING SICK, GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND GET A PROFESSIONAL OPINION AND ENTITLED CARE FOR YOUR CONDITION.
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100 patients for Covid countywide? Our country has a population of over 1.1 million. Stop the fear mongering…Covid is over!
It’s all a lie. The reason hospitals are overcrowded is that illegals are now entitled to free health care, and most of them do not speak English. This is all on Newsom, and county health services perpetuate the lie by place the blame on COVID.
a 25% reduction of patients in the hospital is a slight decline? If I took a 25% pay cut, I would not consider that a ‘slight decline’.
As for not going to the hospital, last time I checked I was not a doctor. So if I am uncertain of my ailments, I am heading to the hospital and allowing my insurance to pay their part. No Doctor, that has not assessed my medical condition, can rightfully tell me not to go to the hospital.
You mean I shouldn’t call 911 when I get cold frys at Mickey D’s? Then who do I call?
GhostBusters
The problem is Kaiser signed up more people than they can service. They are overwhelmed. The other problem is doctors left or retired during covid.
@RICARDOH..…How can they be short on doctors and nurses. India cranks out “doctors” and Asian countries crank out “nurses” one right after another, none who barely speak or understand the English language.
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Concur.
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Any explanation why fewer Americans study to become doctors or nurses?
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Low or failing academic expectations and standards?
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Too expensive?
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Becoming a YouTube influencer or rapper is an easier way to make money?
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The trend of “Baby Daddy” or “My baby’s mother”?
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Seems that way doesn’t it. However if you look at the backgrounds of some of those whose name would lead you to India you would see that they were educated in the US. Seems like Kaiser has a lot of non Caucasian doctors though.
Well, shortage of GOOD doctors…
Those countries don’t have an AMA which has been accused of limiting who and how many can become doctors in the US.
Kaiser sucks now and always has sucked! I wouldn’t take my dog or cat to those clowns! Way overpriced for what “little” care you get! JMHO.
My insurance is GREAT and I hardly pay anything because we have jobs with good benefits. By design. The PCPs my family picked are very responsive (especially the pediatrician). If you know how to work Kaiser, you can get excellent care.
Interesting, over a year was spent trying to convince folks to be paranoid of others and a virus.
CA in particular did little to protect elderly in care facilities. Pushed use of cloth masks which were incapable of stopping something the size of a virus. Then came advice to double mask . . . . . etc.
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Then came test kits and warning was given here even before distribution that REs would be inundated with those seeing a positive test for something with a 99 percent survivability rate.
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Simply, propaganda can produce hysteria amongst those who rely solely on media and social media for information.
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Kinda reminds one of short attention CA residents who repeatedly elect incompetent DEM politicians and are then baffled when they F it all up.
Well, the only people that go to the ER for nothing are the illegals and the people on welfare that get free care. Because THEY DON’T HAVE TO PAY. The rest of us have some sense.
What total GARBAGE!
I’m glad I figured it out long ago that “Dr. Lexus” cannot cure anyone.
And Kaiser??? Their Business model is based on DENYING YOU CARE. Go back to their founding and President Richard Nixon allowing HMOs.
Finally, I would rather my employer give me the money for these ‘benefits’ because all I’ve ever received from these facilities is gaslighting.
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