FCMC reinstates Covid-19 procedures due to rise of Covid-19 Delta variant cases

Forrest City Medical Center officials announced Thursday morning that the facility will only be open to patients and employees for the foreseeable future due to the spike in positive Covid-19 cases since the outbreak of the Delta variant.

“We did not want to have to close down to the public,” said FCMC CEO Dr. John Ballard, “But our priority is the health and safety of this community, starting with our patients and staff. Low vaccination rates in the area have allowed for the spread of the Delta variant, including breakthrough cases that are affecting vaccinated people.”

Forrest City Medical Center will be enforcing the protocols as of Monday, August 9, 2021.

• For Covid-19 Patients:

• Covid patients will be allowed one visitor per patient, per day. Visitation for Covid patients will be between the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

• No visitors will be allowed in the facility for Covid-19 patients outside of these hours with the exception of end of life and other special circumstances as determined by medical staff on a case-by-case basis.

• iPads and twice daily phone calls will be used for patients to communicate with family.

• Medical staff will also stay in communication with the families of Covid-19 patients.

• For Non-Covid-19 Patients:

• Non-Covid patients will be allowed one visitor per patient, per day. Visitation for non-Covid patients will be between the hours

of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day.

Visitors will be screened at the Emergency Department entrance and given an arm band dated for that day ONLY, as well as the patient room number. Arm bands are only valid for the day dated and must be reissued each day.

Labor and Delivery patients will be allowed one visitor for the duration of their stay. The same visitor must remain for the entire stay and must stay with the patient or in designated areas as directed by hospital staff. General Public:

The hospital and cafeteria will be closed to the general public until further notice. All traffic into the facility must enter through the Emergency Department for screening purposes.

Masks will be required for anyone entering the facility, regardless of vaccination status.

“Please understand that we are still open, safe, and ready to offer quality care to Forrest City and the surrounding communities. These measures are in an effort to remain open, safe, and ready in the long term,” explained Ballard. “In our last update to the community, we asked people to wear their masks and to get vaccinated and we would monitor the situation from there. Against what we had hoped, the situation is that cases are rising and until vaccination rates rise to meet the case numbers, our main doors will remain closed to the general public.”

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald An opportunities night was held at the East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center on Thursday where attendees were given the opportunity to learn about academic programs, admissions processes financial aid and scholarships among other offerings. Alvin Coleman III with the admissions department at EACC helps Heaven Williams get started on the admissions process.

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald The ponds at the Forrest City Medical Center are home to multiple species of waterfowl. This duck casually takes a stroll after a morning swim.