SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Sharp Healthcare Tuesday announced the temporary closure of multiple locations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Sharp said Tuesday that it was temporarily closing its La Mesa West and Point Loma locations beginning Thursday, March 26.
Sharp's Chula Vista location will also be operating at "limited capacity, offering only occupational medicine, pharmacy and urgent care services starting Friday, March 27."
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The Chula Vista pharmacy said it is not seeing walk-in patients, but is offering free delivery and curbside pickup.
The temporary closures are all in an effort to conserve and consolidate supplies, including personal protective equipment, a spokesperson for Sharp said. The temporary closures were also implemented to allocate cleaning resources to other sites.
"Essential care for patients at these sites, and indeed all Sharp Rees-Stealy patients, will continue through video and phone visits or for patients who must be seen in person, at other Sharp Rees-Stealy clinics," the spokesperson said.
The sites will re-open once the outbreak is over. "It is a consolidation of services which will allow the medical group to provide the safest and best care during this outbreak while also protecting our doctors and staff."
Check with your hospital location to see whether or not appointments are being impacted.
Meanwhile, Sharp Healthcare is beginning a drive-though donation drive for personal protective equipment on Wednesday.
Those who wish to donate can visit any of the hospital's locations in San Diego, La Mesa, Coronado and Chula Vista between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Equipment needed by hospitals includes:
-- Disposable face masks
-- N95 masks, sometimes called respirators
-- Eye protection including face shields and safety goggles
-- Disposable gowns
-- Disposable gloves, especially non-latex
-- Disposable surgical caps
-- Disposable foot covers
-- Wipes: bleach or antimicrobial
-- Hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
-- Infrared thermometers
"You can drop off your donations at any of the locations listed, and will not need to get out of your car. Our staff will maintain a safe physical distance and will wear gloves and regularly clean their hands. You will be asked to provide basic contact information and may request a receipt for your records,'' Sharp Healthcare officials said.
City News Service contributed to this report.
