Urgent care facilities in western North Carolina, including FastMed locations in Asheville, Candler, and Hendersonville, have started to reopen following Hurricane Helene, providing a crucial lifeline for many residents who have little access to food, water, electricity, and convenient healthcare. These facilities have been vital for people like Elena Gherasim, whose son developed a rash and swelling after using contaminated water post-storm. The clinics are currently using temporary water systems and generators until normal services are restored in the area.
Mission Hospital, the primary healthcare facility in the region, has been gradually recovering, but urgent care centers have been seeing an uptick in patients seeking treatment for various issues, including lacerations, general illness, and bee stings. FastMed spokesperson Andrew Sawyer emphasized the importance of providing easy access to healthcare during the recovery period, as many residents have lost everything and need quick and convenient medical assistance.
In addition to FastMed, Mercy Urgent Care has also reopened several locations in the region to serve the community’s healthcare needs. Residents like Gherasim have found these reopened clinics to be a blessing, allowing them to quickly access medical care without the long waits typically associated with emergency rooms. Overall, the reopening of urgent care facilities has been crucial in providing essential healthcare services to residents in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
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