After Hurricane Helene, urgent care facilities in western North Carolina have begun reopening, providing a crucial lifeline for many residents who had limited access to food, water, electricity, and healthcare. One woman, Elena Gherasim, was grateful for the FastMed Urgent Care near her home, where she took her son after he developed a severe rash and swelling. The clinic in Candler opened on Saturday, with other locations in Asheville and Hendersonville also resuming operations.
The urgent care centers are using temporary water systems and generators, as the cities work to restore water and power. The clinics are experiencing an increase in patient volume, with many seeking treatment for a variety of issues including lacerations, general illness, and bee stings. The focus of the clinics is to provide convenient and easy access to healthcare for those in need.
Mission Hospital, the primary hospital in the area, has also been gradually recovering from the storm, with more supplies arriving and additional resources being provided. The reopening of urgent care centers has been a relief for many residents, including Gherasim, who was able to quickly get medical attention for her son without facing long lines at the emergency room.
Overall, the reopening of urgent care facilities in western North Carolina has been crucial in providing necessary healthcare services to residents affected by the hurricane, ensuring that they have access to medical treatment during the recovery process.
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