On April 15, Virginia Commissioner of Health Karen Remley visited DRMC to tour the newly developed area in the hospital that has been designated as an alternate emergency area.

The area would be used in the event of a disaster or infectious outbreak. An event of such would cause a huge volume surge and the new alternate area gives the emergency department an additional 20 beds to treat patients. The area is equipped to handle any type of emergencies that is normally handled in the emergency department. The funding was provided by a HRSA grant and DRMC.

DRMC is part of a regional group that offers training, resources, and funding to hospitals in the near southwest region. The Emergency Department works closely with Danville City Emergency Response teams to coordinate plans and preparations to ensure needs within the community would be met in the event of a disaster situation.