FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Cape Fear Valley Health announced another round of temporary furloughs on Friday, announcing another move that affects approximately 350 employees.
Last Friday, the health system furloughed approximately 300 staff due to the temporary closing of some services and rescheduling of elective surgeries and procedures.
Since the initial furloughs, the health system said inpatient occupancy at its flagship Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has dropped to 60 percent. The health system’s other hospitals are also at low occupancy, according to the latest statement,
“The public’s acceptance of visitor restrictions in our hospitals, as well as social distancing and sheltering in place orders have helped keep our patients and staff safe,” said Michael Nagowski, Cape Fear Valley Health CEO. “It has also kept our census low so that we can better accommodate the anticipated surge due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the low census also means our staffing needs are reduced.”
Directors and managers will be asked to take one day off per pay period. Vice presidents will be asked to take one day off per week. Full-time employees on furlough will continue to receive their health insurance benefits with the health system paying the full cost of such premiums during the furlough.
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