March 18, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City has changed some policies, including its visitation policy, in an effort to prevent the introduction of COVID-19.
According to a statement released by the hospital on its Facebook page, visiting hours have been changed to 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Visitors will be limited to one person per patient.
The hospital has also implemented a two-point entry system. The statement stated that the registration and emergency entrance are the only open entry points. The hospital will also be screening all persons, patients and visitors, coming into the hospital.
Lastly, the hospital has announced that The Grill @ 1705 has closed to the public for the foreseeable future.
The statement also noted that there have been zero positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Beckham County, and GPRMC has not received a patient that has tested positive for this virus.
In other news, Elk City City Manager Lee Litterell says the city has no plans to force restaurants in the city to shut down due to the coronavirus.
Due to the recent downturn in oil prices and the stock markets, coupled with the advice from the CDC to practice social distancing, businesses in the area are likely to take a hit. Elk City Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Lenius reminds business owners that there are surveys already available to take to help become eligible for any federal assistance.
With the threat of severe weather returning to the area, Litterell announced today at the Elk City, City Commissioners meeting that the public storm shelters will be open if anyone needs to utilize them.
Litterell also encourages those wishing to utilize the Elk City Carnegie Library to sign up for an electronic library card. This will allow users to access the library’s virtual library from home.
