Waiting Room Tent Deployed at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center

This weekend, we set up an outdoor, climate-controlled tent adjacent to the emergency department at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center (CNRV) to assist with waiting room space needs. It is set up as a precaution and has not yet needed to be used. The tent will allow for appropriate social distancing in our waiting room; it will not be used as a patient care area.

We continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and capacity in our region, adjusting our operations based on local needs. At this time, there is no disruption to services at CNRV or other Carilion hospitals.

As we discussed earlier this week, wait times are longer in our emergency departments because volumes are higher and patients are sicker. Please reserve the emergency department only for emergencies.

We have preparedness plans to meet increased demand, but we hope that - with the public's help - we won't have to use them. Now is not the time for alarm; we are here to serve you. It is the time, however, to come together as a community and act:

• Get vaccinated.

• Seek the appropriate level of care. Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries. If you have a non-life-threatening illness, injury, or need a COVID-19 test, please consider primary care, urgent care or retail pharmacy options.

• Take COVID seriously and know what treatment is available to keep you out of the hospital, like monoclonal antibodies.

• When in doubt, wear a mask and stay distant from others.