Lee Health opens new care center as flu cases surge

Lee Health opened a new convenient care center in Cape Coral, aiming to provide essential and accessible healthcare services in one of the fastest-growing cities in Southwest Florida.

The ribbon-cutting took place on Monday, marking the launch of this facility at a crucial time as flu cases soar to record highs across the country and state.

"Our sites have been so busy right now," said Dr. Karen Calkins, Medical Director for Lee Convenient Care. "So, this will be perfect. The flu incidence is way up this year, and we just see it climbing in Lee Health, based on our statistics here. So we can do tests here for the flu and COVID, just a quick, you know, swab, and give you the results, and then medicines if you need it, you know, for prescription."

Located at 507 Cape Coral Parkway E., the center is central to many businesses and neighborhoods. It will serve as an alternative to emergency rooms, offering treatment for non-urgent, minor injuries and illnesses like sprains, strains, cuts, and cold and flu symptoms. The facility will also provide imaging services such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays.

"If you don't have a life-threatening illness, if it's not like a heart attack or stroke where you should definitely be in the emergency department, you don't want to be waiting there either," said Calkins. "And so, we have a quick turnaround here, and you can be seen quickly and get great quality care."

The facility is open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and features 16 examination rooms to serve Cape Coral's growing population.

Lee Health's new facility is part of broader efforts to address Cape Coral's changing healthcare needs. Recent initiatives include expansions at Cape Coral Hospital and the opening of the Lee Health at Bimini Square.

Lee Health announced that the center will begin seeing patients on Tuesday.

For more information, visit www.leehealth.org.