BLAINE COUNTY, Idaho — St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center in Blaine County is temporarily seizing normal operations, as many of their patients and providers have been impacted by the pandemic.
Their emergency department will remain operational, but they will also be transferring patients to other facilities.
Staff said the decision was not an easy one, but due to significant community spread, closing right now means they can eventually open safely.
"We're really wanting people not to utilize that for non-emergency conditions because in part we really want to avoid the possibility of them getting exposed to COVID, but obviously the ER is open for true emergencies," Dr. Joshua Kern, vice president of medical affairs at the hospital said.
The drive-thru screening area for coronavirus and the walk-in clinic adjacent to the medical center will both remain open daily.
