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Cape Fear Valley Lifts Precautionary Lockdown

Update on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 2:22 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE – Dec. 30, 2019 –  Cape Fear Valley Health is no longer under lockdown at any of its healthcare facilities.

All health system hospital facilities were placed on lockdown Sunday evening due to a non-specific threat made to law enforcement against a Fayetteville-area hospital. The threat was made by an unidentified individual. 

Cape Fear Valley Health worked closely with the Fayetteville Police Department to ensure that our hospital campuses remain a safe place to work and receive care. With law enforcement clearance, we have removed the lockdown status, but continue to have an increased police and security presence in and around our campuses.

In addition to our close working relationship with local law enforcement, Cape Fear Valley Health  maintains more than 700 continuously-monitored security cameras located on multiple campuses.

The health system also has a comprehensive visitor management system, a security team with 24-hour internal and external patrol, metal detectors and screening at Emergency Department entrances, and additional safety mechanisms for use in emergency situations.

Cape Fear Valley appreciates the quick response by local law enforcement over the weekend,  as well as the continuous dedication of our employees throughout these difficult situations.

About Cape Fear Valley Health System
Cape Fear Valley Health is a 950-bed health system serving a region of more than 800,000 people in Southeastern North Carolina. The not-for-profit system is the state’s 8th largest health system and made up of 7,000 team members and 850 physicians, eight hospitals, and more than 60 primary care and specialty clinics. Cape Fear Valley Health offers residencies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and general surgery, as well as a transitional year internship in affiliation with the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. For more information, visit www.CapeFearValley.com.

Update on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 10:21 a.m.

Bladen County Hospital should be reopened to visitors as of Monday morning.
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center reopened all of its facilities to visitors following Sunday night’s lockdown of all facilities after an alleged threat at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville.
The Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s official Facebook page published the following statement on Monday morning,  “Security is now allowing visitors at all Cape Fear Valley hospitals.”

Previous article published Sunday night around 11:50 p.m.:

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville announced their facilities were on lockdown until further notice.

The healthcare company made the following announcement on their official Facebook page on Sunday night, “This evening, law enforcement notified Cape Fear Valley of a credible threat directed at a Fayetteville-area medical center. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, Cape Fear Valley Health System has locked down all of its hospital facilities until the threat is cleared by law enforcement. The lockdown is in effect at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Hoke Hospital, Bladen County Hospital, and Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital. Fayetteville Police Department is currently maintaining a presence at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, while the other facilities are secured by Cape Fear Valley security. During the lockdown, we ask that no one visit these facilities unless seeking emergency medical treatment.”

Sunday’s social media official post came after an alarming post on Friday night by Cape Fear Valley stating the following:

”An alleged incident was reported on the medical center campus this evening. Security in conjunction with Fayetteville Police Department investigated the incident. After reviewing security footage, there was no evidence that a crime was committed. Cape Fear Valley has security cameras in all parking lots and throughout the campus to ensure the safety of all visitors, patients and staff.”

Late Sunday night, the Fayetteville Police Department said it had concluded security sweeps of the hospital in Fayetteville and the surrounding area and had not located anyone that fit the description of a caller. The validity of the call remained under investigation.

At the time of this report BladenOnline.com staff has been unable to reach officials with Cape Fear Valley Health. More information will be provided as soon as it is made available.

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