NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A surge in post-holiday respiratory illnesses has led to long waits in local emergency departments. A patient leaving Sentara Norfolk General Tuesday afternoon described an ugly scene inside Sentara Norfolk General's ED. "It's busy and everybody [is] throwin' up, spittin' up with colds. It's terrible," Doreen White said. "[They're] in the hallway and out in the hallway on the outside — people everywhere." Sentara spokesperson Dale Gauding confirmed that it's not just happening at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Many of its emergency departments are at capacity and some admissions are being delayed. It's the same at Chesapeake Regional Hospital, while Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth and Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News are also seeing an increase in patients with respiratory illnesses. The Virginia Department of Health's respiratory dashboard shows COVID-19, flu and RSV activity to be high in the state and the Eastern Region, which includes all of Hampton Roads. The influx of illnesses, on top of typical injuries and illnesses seen in an emergency department, are only exacerbated by the doctor shortage, which has many using emergency rooms for primary care. Gauding said that, to ensure patients with the greatest needs are treated promptly, those with flu-like symptoms should assess whether an urgent care or family provider are more appropriate. If you have a cough, runny nose and low-grade fever, you should stay home and avoid the urgent care and emergency department. If you can't breathe, have a high fever, chest pain, or your symptoms are getting worse after a few days, then see a doctor. Sentara has a checklist that can help you make the right call for your health.