LENOIR, N.C. — An emergency field hospital in Lenoir is closing Wednesday, Samaritan's Purse confirms.
"It wasn't too long ago that we were facing a disaster," UNC Health, Dr. David Lowry said. "We truly felt like we were running out of options."
The temporary field hospital was deployed on Jan. 1 to help meet the overwhelming number of coronavirus cases that inundated western North Carolina hospitals. Since it opened on Jan. 7, Samaritan’s Purse medical personnel have cared for 78 patients at the 30-bed unit.
"We are so thankful to be able to close the field hospital as this means that case numbers have reached a point where the local healthcare system will be able to meet the need," Samaritan's Purse said.
The unit only took patients who were COVID-positive but did not need the support of a ventilator.
"One of our hospitalists at the end of her shift said, she was actually able to breathe today, I sat down for a minute and was able to gather my thoughts," Dr. Lowry said.
"It's truly truly been a blessing," said Mayor of Lenoir, Joe Gibbons.
The wards had electricity, water and heat. Samaritan's Purse said it added additional steps to its construction process because of the possibility of snow.
Edward Graham with Samaritan's Purse is hopeful that people will continue to do what's required to keep everyone safe.
"I know were going to see the other side of this, the numbers are going down and things are going to get better," Graham said. "But for those who have lost and hurt, that doesn't make it any better but my prayers are with them."