With winter under way, hospitals region-wide are seeing an increase in respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, RSV and norovirus.
Simple actions, such as staying up to date on vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home when you feel unwell, can help reduce the spread of infection. YNHHS staff are required to wear masks during patient interactions.
If you become ill and experience fever, body aches, cough, congestion or upset stomach, you have several options. Visit Get Care Now to find out which of these is best for you:
- Contact your primary care provider.
- Visit a YNHHS walk-in or urgent care center. YNHHS has locations throughout Connecticut and New York.
- Schedule a virtual visit. Often covered by insurance and available 24/7 for minor conditions.
Call 911 or go to the Emergency Department (ED) for life-threatening or serious symptoms, including:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden confusion or neurological changes
- Partial or full paralysis
- Major burns
- Head injuries or trauma
Emergency departments may experience high patient volumes, especially during winter.
“We encourage the community to understand when emergency care is necessary and when a primary care provider or other options may be more appropriate,” said Arjun Venkatesh, MD, chief of Emergency Medicine for Yale New Haven Hospital and chair of Emergency Medicine for Yale School of Medicine.
