‘They are terrified’: Fearing coronavirus, people with potentially fatal conditions avoid emergency care

“Stay home.” That’s the message public health experts and political leaders have foisted onto Americans in recent weeks, and that was the message ringing in Alan Phenix’s mind when the pain crept into his abdomen earlier this month.

Medical professionals are sounding the alarm on what some have characterized as a silent storm brewing and a crisis within a crisis – patients with critical ailments and symptoms staying home for fear of going to an emergency room and contracting the coronavirus. Phenix’s case serves as a cautionary tale – but countless others who hesitated to seek treatment have fared worse, some doctors suggest, leaving some in the medical community to wonder whether the “stay home” sentiment has actually endangered some who should seek emergency help.

The novel coronavirus has now taken the lives of some 46,000 people in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. But the death toll for those who have stayed home despite showing symptoms remains unknown. Anecdotes from physicians on the front lines suggest that number could be staggering.

"What we've seen over the course of the last six to eight weeks is that there are decreasing numbers of heart attacks and strokes showing up at U.S. hospitals,” said Dr. Robert Harrington, interventional cardiologist and president of the American Heart Association in a statement issued Wednesday. “That has also been reported in other places around the globe that have experienced Covid-19 epidemic.

Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Growing backlash from health care workers over reopening states amid coronavirus pandemicHealth care workers across the U.S. are warning against lifting stay-at-home restrictions too soon, fearing hospitals will quickly be overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus patients. Now if these damn Republicans don't listen to the healthcare workers then all hope is really lost.they are working front lines and know freaking better come on now. GovInslee It's okay. Trust the president. Come out to play.
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »

Coronavirus updates: 1 million in NYC possibly exposed to virus, health official saysJUST IN: New York health commissioner says she would not be surprised if 'close to a million New Yorkers' had been exposed to COVID-19. Sounds like NY should have did a better job. that's not true. what a fear monger It's probably higher than that, which only goes to show how less severe the virus really is. The majority of infected are asymptomatic. It comes and goes and you're none the wiser. We're really only testing the ones we know have symptoms.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »