If you need urgent care, do not deny yourself that service. Dr. Denis Fortier with Southern Health made that comment, urging residents in the region not to stay away from busy Emergency Rooms, if their symptoms require immediate help.

In recent weeks, Steinbach has become a hotbed for COVID-19. As of Tuesday, there are 329 active cases of the virus in Steinbach. In an interview last week, Sarah Neufeld, an ER nurse at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach commented on the situation at that hospital.

"I've never seen anything like it before," says Neufeld. "Every bed is full."

probably struggling more than any other site in the province. He notes this is consistent with the per capita cases of COVID-19 in the Steinbach area.

Dr. Fortier says he has been hearing stories of people who require urgent care, staying away from the ER in order not to make an already busy hospital, even busier. Dr. Fortier says considering this same thing happened in spring, he is not surprised.

But the doctor urges residents that if you are experiencing something critical to seek medical attention. He notes for symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or severe abdominal pain, you should either call the emergency department for advice, or, better yet, just show up.

On the flip side, if you believe that your care can wait for a response from your primary care physician, or a walk-in clinic, or a phone call, Dr. Roussin says you should use those means.

"I do appreciate and do thank all of our citizens who will step up to the plate and not overrun our emergency departments with more minor ailments," says Dr. Roussin. "But if you have concerns, by all means connect with someone to better understand if that is a need that needs to be taken care of in emergency department and then don't deny yourself that service."

Meanwhile, Dr. Fortier says if your concern is that you might pick up COVID-19 at Bethesda, keep in mind the hospital has done an excellent job to try and protect the public and is examining plans to cohort certain types of patients within the hospital.