LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Health officials said Lake County’s COVID-19 caseload has reached such critically high levels that the emergency departments at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport and Adventist Health in Clearlake have now been significantly stretched for more than a week.
The Lake County Health Services Department has received reports that some people with mild symptoms that can be associated with COVID-19 have continued to utilize local emergency rooms for COVID testing. Others have sought vaccination at our hospitals.
“As a small, rural county, we have limited intensive care and emergency medicine resources. They must be reserved for those in medical distress; those in need of immediate care. Overutilization of these resources extends wait times, and delays care for those in the greatest need,” said Charlie Evans, MD, Lake County’s acting Public Health officer.
“At this time, we ask people with mild symptoms to please contact their medical providers and nursing advice lines, rather than going straight to the emergency room,” said Evans. “If you are in need of immediate medical care, go to the ER. However, if you are mildly ill, use alternative resources.”
Visit http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm and http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Testing.htm to learn more about vaccination and testing resources available in Lake County.
COVID-19 testing resources in Lake County
OptumServe at Lower Lake Town Hall, 16195 Main St.: Mondays and Thursdays, 7 to 11 a.m. and noon to 4 p.m. Appointments are highly recommended, limited on-site registration is available.
Rite Aid is conducting drive-thru testing in Clearlake and Ukiah: Appointments can be made online at https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing. Insurance is not required.
Labcorp offers home testing by mail. Visit https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/. Insurance is not required.
Lake County Tribal Health offers testing by appointment to established patients with or without symptoms. For appointments, call 707-263-8382.
Clearlake VA Clinic is offering COVID-19 tests to veterans experiencing symptoms or prior to procedures. Please call the TLC line at 800-733-0502 for information.
Quest Diagnostics offers home testing by mail. Visit https://questdirect.questdiagnostics.com/ for information and to see if you're eligible for $0 out-of-pocket-testing. (Quest Diagnostics in Lakeport is not offering in-lab testing for active COVID-19.)
Sutter Health (outpatient clinics) are offering testing to existing patients, if ordered by your provider. Please contact your provider's office for details.
Adventist Health is offering testing to existing pediatric patients (children) in limited circumstances. Please contact your provider's office for details.
Lake County Public Health will test by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 707-263-8174 to schedule or for information.
Lake County’s emergency departments stretched due to COVID-19 caseload
- Lake County News reports
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