Visitors welcome again at Hampton Regional Medical Center

HAMPTON COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - A few months ago, Hampton County’s one and only hospital was in the fight of its life with COVID patients pushing capacity limits and staff stretched thin. Hospital leaders say they’re in a much better spot now.

Like many hospitals around the country, the Hampton Regional Medical Center has really struggled through these last two years. They took a step forward Monday that they believe can provide hope, not just to this hospital, but to the community it serves.

After years of ever-changing visitor restrictions, the doors at this medical center were ceremonially re-opened, to symbolize visitors are now fully welcome.

“It’s a good day in Hampton County right now. We can open the hospital back up, I think we’ve got one Covid possible patient upstairs and had a couple weeks without any, so that’s really a good thing. A real good thing,” Hampton Regional President Dave Hamill said.

Hamill says the moment means so much because of what this group has been through.

“It has been physically and emotionally exhausting,” he said.

Even during celebration, the optimism is cautious and one guideline will stay in place.

“We do still have to keep the masks in place. I hope the CDC will relax that guideline in the near future.”

While that hasn’t let up quite yet, case numbers have, and it’s given the hospital a moment to catch its breath.

Has given our staff a chance to breathe and hopefully relax a little bit and start the healing process.”

The hospital’s leader saying all they can do now is pray things stay this way.

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