Inova Hospitals Experience 'Unprecedented' Patient Numbers After Thanksgiving

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Inova is experiencing “unprecedented patient volumes” at its Northern Virginia hospitals due to a spike in the flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses after the Thanksgiving holiday, the health care system said Tuesday.

The surge in the number of patients is putting a “strain on hospital capacity,” Inova said.

Inova’s emergency rooms, in particular, are experiencing a significant surge in patient numbers and are operating at capacity or over capacity. For every patient a hospital discharges, another patient is waiting to be admitted, Inova said.

In late October, the Virginia Department of Health warned that this season of viral ailments may be worse than in recent years. Several children’s hospitals in the D.C. area, for example, were operating at or near capacity for several weeks this fall due to a surge in respiratory viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Inova said Tuesday that it is equipped to handle the current surge. But the health care system is urging residents to get vaccinated for both the flu and COVID-19 and boosted for COVID-19. Residents also should continue to practice safety measures, including masking, and social distancing, the health care system said.

Residents are encouraged to consider if a hospital emergency room is the appropriate level of care to meet their medical needs. For emergency needs, Inova said its freestanding emergency departments provide the same level of emergency care and may have shorter wait times.

For residents whose conditions do not require emergency care, they should consider whether their primary care doctor or an Inova GoHealth Urgent Care Center is more appropriate, Inova said. Inova also partners with DispatchHealth, which provides urgent medical care at homes.

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