PeaceHealth sets up emergency tent for COVID surge

PeaceHealth Southwest has erected an emergency tent to help care for what the health care facility has called “unprecedented volumes” in its emergency room due to COVID-19.

“To accommodate the current surge, a tent has been erected near the Emergency Department entrance to serve as an overflow waiting area for patients seeking care,” PeaceHealth officials noted in a news release issued last week. “At this time of high demand, it is important that people seek medical care in the most appropriate setting. Our emergency team is always available to provide immediate care for those experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical issues.”

PeaceHealth said it “strongly recommends” patients in need of minor medical care consider visiting an urgent care center or their primary care provider before going to the hospital’s emergency department.

“In recent days, PeaceHealth Southwest has seen an increase in mildly ill or asymptomatic patients coming to the Emergency Department for COVID-19 testing, putting added strain on resources,” said Jason Hanley, medical director of PeaceHealth Southwest Emergency Services. “Those desiring a COVID test are encouraged to visit any of several testing locations in the community where tests are offered free of charge.”

For location information visit Clark County Public Health’s COVID-19 testing resource page at clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-testing or Quest Diagnostics testing resource page at questdiagnostics.com/home/Covid-19/Patients/

PeaceHealth Southwest is also seeing a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 inpatients in its care, and strongly advocates that everyone who is medically able to get the COVID-19 vaccine do so without delay.

Find information on vaccine availability at peacehealth.org/coronavirus.

PeaceHealth has implemented a no-visitors policy in its clinics during the pandemic.

For more information, visit peacehealth.org.