Stay-at-Home Order by Governor Cooper Applauded by Health System Leaders

03.27.2020 Atrium Health News

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 27, 2020 ― In the interest of protecting the health and well-being of both the community and health care workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leaders from Atrium Health, CaroMont Health, Cone Health, Novant Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health support Governor Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order for North Carolina, effective at 5 p.m., on Monday, March 30.

This order will ultimately protect those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 and will help preserve the necessary supplies each health system requires to care for patients during this pandemic. If the coronavirus can be stopped from spreading, it not only protects the community, it also protects health care workers and the ability of health care systems to serve them during this state of emergency. By increasing social distancing through this order, a greater decline in the spread of this virus is expected, which in turn minimizes the number of people infected. Fewer people having COVID-19 will ensure hospitals are ready and can handle the increased demand.

"We care deeply about the safety of our patients, team members and the communities we serve," said Terry Akin, president and CEO of Cone Health, Carl Armato, president and CEO of Novant Health, Julie A. Freischlag, M.D., president and CEO Wake Forest Baptist Health, Chris Peek, president and CEO of CaroMont Health, and Eugene A. Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health in a joint statement. "As our state works to navigate this ever-evolving situation, a stay-at-home order can make a significant difference in our ability to keep our communities healthy, while also ensuring our team members have the resources to care for those who need it most during this unprecedented time."

Health systems and the entire care teams that operate each facility are needed more than ever as we face the realities of COVID-19, and healthcare workers on the front lines are doing everything possible to help treat and defeat this pandemic. These teams include care providers and essential operations teams at hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, other health care facilities, health care suppliers, home health service providers, behavioral health service providers, or any related and/or ancillary health care services.

Each health system recognizes the impacts of this stay-at-home action on the workforce and local economy. These systems have a proud history of supporting the communities they serve and are each experiencing economic hardships from this pandemic. The health systems are fully committed to working with business and community leaders once this state of emergency ends to help address the needs of communities and their most vulnerable citizens, and to help restore North Carolina to good health and prosperity.

The courageous leadership of the governor during these unprecedented times is greatly appreciated. Today’s action will ultimately save the lives of countless residents of this great state of North Carolina.