Virtual Visits Urged, Request to Reserve ED for True Emergencies Made as Illnesses Surge

As illnesses such as influenza and strep continue to rapidly spread throughout our community, medical facilities are seeing a steady increase in the numbers of patients seeking care. Individuals are asked to consider virtual health visits to help alleviate current strains on the health care system. Options for patients include:

Adult Patients 18+ Can Use My UNC Chart, myuncchart.org, to request a virtual visit.

• If established user, login and request virtual visit by accessing UNC Health’s Virtual Care Now.
• If new user, locate the "New User?" section of the website. If you need help with obtaining an activation code, call UNC Health Outpatient Access Center at (888) 996-2767.
• Virtual Care Now Hours are: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Call to request a virtual visit.

• UNC Health Southeastern Call Center: 1-844-735-8864. Telehealth booth options available at select locations for patients with limited internet access.
• Call a UNC Health Physician Network clinic direct to request a virtual visit. For a full list of Lumberton-area UNCPN clinics, visit https://www.uncpn.com/pn/unc-southeastern-practices/.
• Call your Primary Care Provider and request a virtual visit.

“We are also asking those in the community who can to seek care for non-life-threatening conditions at local doctor’s offices and urgent care centers as well as virtual visits in order to alleviate some of the high traffic we are currently seeing in the emergency department,” said Renae Taylor, UNC Health Southeastern VP and Chief Nursing Officer.

Patients with significant emergency medical conditions or injuries, however, should not hesitate to seek care at the Emergency Department.

“This plan will enable our ED staff to focus their efforts on those patients whose health conditions are true emergencies,” added Taylor.