Samaritan Healthcare Sets Up Respiratory Virus Evaluation Center, Restricts Visitors to Facilities

Samaritan Healthcare made two major announcements Wednesday in the continued effort against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Development & Communications Director Gretchen Youngren said the Samaritan Respiratory Virus Evaluation Center, or RVEC, has been put up at the west entrance to Samaritan Clinic on Pioneer Way.

One reason they put up the RVEC clinic goes far beyond just drive thru testing.

"We are also at the peak of flu season." Youngren said, "With patients who come to the RVEC clinic who have been screened and are showing signs and symptoms of something respiratory, we want to make sure that we are testing you for (Streptococcus) and for the flu. We're checking all the boxes before we issue a COVID-19 test."

Samaritan Healthcare also notified the public Wednesday that they will be restricting visitors to their facilities effective immediately and until further notice.

Patients are encouraged to call the 24-hour nurse hotline prior to going to the RVEC clinic or local emergency department. That number is 509-764-3331.