Dignity Health Central Coast says its urgent care locations on the Central Coast are ready for a possible increase in patients.
With more people testing positive for COVID-19 in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties over the past week, Dignity Health says triage tents have been set up at its five urgent care locations in Atascadero, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria, Orcutt and Lompoc should more people start coming who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
“The outdoor triage tents will provide a safe environment for community members and providers to assess patients without needing to go inside a busy office,” Dignity Health said in a press release.
While the tents are now up, they have not been activated yet and are not specimen collection centers. Specimens will only be collected once patients are assessed and clinicians believe COVID-19 testing is appropriate, according to Dignity Health.
“We want to keep our communities informed of the efforts we are making and the process they should follow for receiving care. If someone is feeling ill with upper respiratory symptoms such as, fever, cough, or mild shortness of breath we ask that they contact their primary care physician first,” said Scott Robertson, MD, President and CEO of Pacific Central Coast Health Centers.
Dignity Health hospitals in Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo also have triage tents up in the case of an influx of patients.