SARASOTA (WSNN) – As COVID-19 cases numbers and hospitalizations increase on the Suncoast, some people become fearful of going to the hospital.
“You don’t want to put off things that could turn into bigger problems later,” SMHPresident and CEO David Verinder said.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is seeing hospitalizations go up. Verinder says they’re always concerned about a possible surge.
“We’re always planning for the worst but hoping for the best. We have plenty of stock for PPE on hand; we’ve continued to keep ordering and preparing for that. Our staff is ready to take care of the community if that surge comes back.”
Even so, the fear is alive and well.
“I prefer not to go to the hospital because I think it’s very dangerous,” Sarasota visitor, Lina Lopez said.
“I would just tell people to stay away from hospitals as much as possible because it’s not safe to go,” Sarasota Resident, Alexis Gutierrez said.
“We’d do anything we could to stay out of the hospital,” Sarasota Resident, Eric Neikrug said. “I would have to be pretty sick before I’d go.”
Verinder says If you’re afraid of going to the hospital, he wants to assure you this is one of the safest places you can be. They take temperatures, require masks, and constantly disinfect areas.
“When it comes to heart attacks and strokes, every minute counts,” Verinder said. “You have to go to get in and get treated. It is vital that happens.”
While some on the Suncoast are scared to go to the hospital, others say they’re confident in the safety protocols.
“I think it’s more important to take care of your health and abide by what the medical people are telling you you need; trust them,” Sarasota Resident Lindy Donnahue said.
“I do think the hospitals are probably a pretty safe place to be,” Sarasota Resident Keri Zaleski said. “They know how to disinfect and they take care of themselves, and good care of their patients, I think too.”
“Today, I wouldn’t hesitate, that doesn’t mean I don’t have concerns, but it wouldn’t stop me from going,” Sarasota Resident, Eric Smith said.
So again, if you feel ill or experience an issue, Verinder says you shouldn’t delay care; you need to get treated.