Health & Safety

Samaritan's Purse Sets Up COVID Field Hospital For Western NC

by Paul Garber

In this May 7, 2020, photo, the Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse, sits for a portrait at his group's field hospital in New York's Central Park. The Christian relief charity is setting up a new field hospital in Lenoir. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

A High Country-based humanitarian group is building a field hospital to assist COVID-19 patients in western North Carolina.

The 30-bed hospital will be located in Lenoir and is expected to begin treating patients this week.

Officials with Samaritan's Purse, which is run by Rev. Franklin Graham and is based in Boone, say it's being built on the grounds of Caldwell UNC Health Care.

Hospital leaders say COVID cases have spiked in the region. 

The temporary facility will be used to treat patients from five health systems. In addition to Caldwell UNC, they are Appalachian Regional Healthcare System in Boone, Carolinas Healthcare System Blue Ridge in Morganton and Catawba Valley Health System and Frye Regional Medical Center, which are both in Hickory.

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.

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