Where to go for care during busy respiratory virus season

Bellingham, WA – PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is experiencing unprecedented patient volumes in its emergency department due to rising cases of RSV, flu and many other emergent health needs.

The hospital is asking those with non-emergency health issues to consider other options for care. Primary care providers can take care of most health needs through regular check-ups or same-day visits.

“Please know that we treat everyone who visits our Emergency Department, but those with non-emergency needs will most likely have a longer wait time before we are able to care for them,” said James Scribner, MD, medical director at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Emergency Department. “We are asking the community to consider other care options for non-emergency healthcare needs so our team can care for the most ill and vulnerable.”

Dr. Scribner encouraged anyone with difficulty breathing or challenges getting enough oxygen to come to the ER for an evaluation. He added that for other flu or respiratory virus symptoms, like body aches and coughing, self-care or a visit to your primary care physician or same-day clinic may be a more suitable option.

For individuals who do not have a primary care provider and have a health need that is not life-threatening, three PeaceHealth Priority Care clinics in Whatcom County offer same-day, drop-in care with extended hours. The locations are:

• Priority Care at PeaceHealth Cordata Main Clinic
  • 4545 Cordata Pkwy, Suite 1A, Bellingham
  • 360-788-8180
  • Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sat – Sun: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• PeaceHealth Priority Care at Medical Office Plaza
  • 3015 Squalicum Pkwy, Suite 140, Bellingham,
  • 360-788-8420
  • Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Priority Care at PeaceHealth Lynden Clinic
  • 8840 Benson Road, Suite 3, Lynden
  • 360-288-4741
  • Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

View this detailed guide on where to go for care. 

The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Emergency Department is available 24/7 to provide immediate care for those experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical issues. If you are experiencing an illness or injury that is life-threatening, call 911 or go to the hospital nearest you.

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About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 clinicians and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.