Intensive units across the state, including UNC Health, are feeling the strain of staffing as the number of COVID-19 cases begins to outnumber available nurses.
The two tents were set up on Thursday morning and will be able to fit up to 30 patients at a time. CFVH officials say the connecting tents, which will have socially distanced seating, will be utilized if their main waiting room volume exceeds 30 patients.
Susan Phelps is a registered nurse at the hospital and Corporate Service Line Director for the Emergency Department. Phelps said the Fayetteville hospital currently has around 60 patients who are COVID-19 positive, the majority of them dealing with severe symptoms.