ROCHESTER, N.Y. — COVID-19 numbers in the Finger Lakes region have plateaued as of late, while the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has remained steady in the mid-300s.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Apostolakos from the University of Rochester Medical Center says a majority of these patients are admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, but not because of COVID-19.

Approximately 90 of the patients within the URMC umbrella are in an alternate level of care, meaning they're stable enough to be discharged but are unable to do so because of a shortage of beds in nursing homes.

Another issue facing hospital systems is overcrowding in the emergency departments.

"We're asking the community that if they're less acute to seek out their primary care provider, a lot of whom are staying open later to treat such patients, or urgent care, Apostolakos said. “We will see them in the emergency room, if that’s what they desire. However, there could be a wait of hours to be seen if you're less acute."

Apostolakos says if you are in need of immediate medical assistance to still visit an emergency department and you will be prioritized over acute patients.