Lee Health announced Wednesday that the health system's hospitals are reaching capacity.
The cause is a rise in flu and respiratory illnesses coinciding with a growing population and the influx of seasonal residents and visitors.
Lee Health reported it's ERs treated about 1,000 patients Tuesday.
Lee Health's Chief Medical Officer Ian Gonsenhauser says people coming to the ER for non-acute medical emergencies could face long wait times.
Lee Health stressed pursuing alternatives to emergency care. Alternatives include using the symptom tracker on Leehealth.org to see where best to get treatment. Lee Telehealth is available 24/7 on smartphone or computer. DispatchHealth, which provides in-home urgent care, is another option.
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