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HC OEM and DOH Support HMC
Hunterdon County's OEM and Health Department Provide Critical Resources To HMC In Health Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 16, 2020
Contact: Zach T. Rich, Freeholder
Find out what's happening in Flemingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hunterdon County’s OEM and Health Department Provide Critical Resources To HMC in Health Crisis
Find out what's happening in Flemingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hunterdon County’s Health Department and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have provided thousands of items of protective equipment and logistical resources to the Hunterdon Medical Center (HMC), including support for HMC’s recently opened Respiratory Assessment Center, Hunterdon County Freeholder Zach Rich reported at the Board’s April 7th meeting, held by teleconference.
Freeholder Rich reported, “Working cooperatively with the hospital as it faces increasing Emergency Department visits and inpatient volume due to the pandemic, the County has provided more than 68,000 items of personal protection equipment (PPE) and other resources to HMC to support critical medical efforts.
HMC reports that admissions and emergency room visits are higher than ever before and due to the significant increase in patient traffic, last Friday, April 3rd, the Respiratory Assessment Center was opened in the parking lot to expand evaluation of patients, treatment of those with symptoms, and testing of those who meet the CDC criteria for COVID-19.”
Freeholder Rich continued, “From the beginning the county has assisted HMC in meeting its health mission during the crisis. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers are assisting with traffic control at the Respiratory Center and an Alternate Care Site Trailer and beds, privacy screens, IV rods and other supplies has also been provided.”
The Health Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Hunterdon Medical Center have a strong history of partnership and collaboration with the shared goal of protecting the health and safety of Hunterdon County residents.
“I believe we are seeing County health providers and government at its best, as our teams rise to the occasion. The Freeholder Board is grateful to the medical community, hospital staff, first responders, volunteers and county staff who are all stepping up and working tirelessly during this health crisis and unprecedented time. We offer a sincere thank you to all of you,” Rich concluded.
