UNC Lenoir Health Care, like other hospitals across Eastern North Carolina, is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. But the hospital is doing OK for now. PRE’s Meredith Radford has more.
While there’s been an increase in COVID-19 cases at UNC Lenoir Health Care, the hospital is doing well keeping up with demand. They haven’t had to delay or cancel elective procedures, and their admission rate is lower now than in previous surges. But the Emergency Department has been very busy with people who just want a COVID-19 test.
UNC Lenoir’s Chief Nursing Officer Jill Phlippeau says they try to make the community aware of the many testing sites in the county through social media, but people are still showing up to the ED.
“The number one thing the community can do right now to help us is, if you just need a COVID test, please go to those other areas, because it delays care of patients coming in from motor vehicle accidents or having a heart attack or stroke.”
Phlippeau says those who come to the ED for a COVID-19 test could be waiting four to six hours and that it’s much easier to go somewhere else.
UNC Lenoir is a financial supporter of PRE.
For Public Radio East, I’m Meredith Radford.