Severe Weather Update

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to intensify today and become a hurricane and is forecast to track north then north-northeast just offshore from South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. Isaias will gain speed as it becomes a hurricane and should be closest to Charleston around 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. this evening.  Despite the expected intensification, expected impacts have not changed significantly with possible 3-6 inches of localized rainfall and possible flooding downtown due to storm surge and high tide coming in around 6:00 p.m. and at its peak at 9:20 p.m. (6.3ft)  The projection still shows we can expect to begin experiencing wind and rain this morning as outer bands begin to pass by and picking up after 2:00 p.m. this afternoon however low tide is at 2:27 p.m. so we should not see significant flooding until it comes back in after 5:00 p.m. It is still scheduled to clear out late tonight and be in North Carolina by around midnight. We will likely still have a few more outer bands through the night and into tomorrow morning; minimal impacts expected.

VAMC, CBOC & EMPLOYEE STATUS  

• The Director activated the Incident Command Center last Thursday to manage all planning and actions related to the storm. Regular updates will be provided to staff as they become available.
• All CBOCs are operating under normal conditions with the exception of Myrtle Beach which will close at 2:00 p.m. today.
• Charleston area administrative team members and staff supporting outpatient clinics at the VAMC, Goose Creek and Trident will begin being released after 12:00 p.m. in accordance with Service Chief instructions.
• Staff currently teleworking on Monday should continue their normal operations. Staff released early who have telework agreements should check with their supervisor for their work status. Staff released early who do not have telework agreements will be on weather and safety leave.
• All other employees will work their full tour and must wait for their relief to arrive. 2^nd and 3^rd shift employees should allow sufficient travel time to arrive at the VAMC to begin their tour on time.
• Inpatient care units and the Emergency Department are open and operational.
• Any staff required to shelter in place should sign in through their supervisor to obtain their sleeping arrangements.
• At this point, parking shuttles are operating on a normal schedule today.
• Staff may park on the 2^nd level of the VAMC parking deck. Staff may also park at the MUSC Bee Street and ART (City) Garages at no charge from 5:30 p.m. Monday until 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Staff MUST exit MUSC garages no later than 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
• At this time, we anticipate normal operations at all locations on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.
• Questions and concerns regarding work status should be addressed by your supervisor.

CBOC STATUS FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2020: 

• Hinesville – Open
• Savannah – Open
• Myrtle Beach – Open until 2:00 p.m.
• Trident Annex – Open until 12:00 p.m.
• Goose Creek – Open until 12:00 p.m.
• Beaufort – Open

VAMC Primary Care Lab Moves to Mobile Lab

Effective July 27, the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC Primary Care Lab will move outside to the Mobile Lab located in the Valet Parking area of the medical center. The Primary Care Lab sees patients by scheduled appointment to allow for proper social distancing and patient safety.  If you have an appointment at the Charleston Primary Care Lab, please enter the Mobile Lab no earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment time and exit as soon as it’s completed. Our no-visitor policy and mask requirement is in effect for everyone entering VA facilities.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

VA is moving forward with expanding select services at facilities across the country. As we welcome Veterans back, we will continue safety measures including, but not limited to, physical distancing, environmental cleaning recommendations outlined by the CDC, face coverings for all, and staff and Veteran screening for signs of COVID-19 infection. Safe care is our mission and our continuing commitment to Veterans and staff. 

• Veteran patients should enter the building no earlier than 15 minutes before their appointment time.
• Veteran patients should exit the building as soon as their appointment is completed.
• No Visitor policy continues with some exceptions for end-of-life care patients; no visitors under age 18.
• All individuals must wear face masks while on our campuses and in our facilities.

If you are sick or have symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath), the VAMC Telephone Advice Program is still the best, first contact before visiting our facilities.  Staff are available 24/7 for nurse advice and triage. You may be referred from VA to MUSC Health or VA clinics in Savannah, Hinesville or Myrtle Beach for drive-through testing. Testing referral and appointments are required. 

Contact us at: 1-888-878-6884 or (843) 789-6400.

More information on COVID-19 is available at:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• VA COVID Information: https://www.va.gov/coronavirus/

Message from the Acting Director

To keep our Veteran patients and stakeholders up to date, we invite you to view the current message from the Acting Director, click here. Previous messages are also available. Learn more »