After Hurricane Helene impacted western North Carolina, urgent care facilities in the region have started to reopen, providing much-needed medical care to residents who have been without food, water, and electricity. FastMed Urgent Care locations in Candler, Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone, and Wilkesboro have all reopened, with the Candler location being the last to do so. These clinics are operating on temporary water systems and generators until normal services are restored. Mission Hospital, the primary hospital in the area, has also been gradually recovering after the storm. The urgent care centers have seen an increase in patients seeking treatment for various issues, including lacerations, general illness, and bee stings. Many patients have also needed emergency prescription refills due to the closure of their primary care offices. The goal of these urgent care centers is to provide convenient and easy access to healthcare for those in need, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster when resources may be scarce. For residents like Elena Gherasim, having these urgent care facilities reopen has been a blessing, allowing quick access to medical care without the long wait times typically seen in emergency rooms. As the community continues to recover from the hurricane, these urgent care facilities play a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to those in need.
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