Health System Seeks Community’s Help To Stop Spread Of COVID-19 Published: 11 December 2020 In response to a drastic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations at Watauga Medical Center, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is asking for the community’s help. On Monday, December 7, Watauga Medical Center (WMC) had almost 80% of its COVID-19 beds occupied. “It’s certainly alarming when 27 of 34 available COVID-19 beds are full,” said Rob Hudspeth, Sr. Vice President for System Advancement for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS). “This week we opened 10 new COVID-19 beds, but we are now concerned that even 34 may not be enough,” he added. As COVID-19 hospitalizations increase, the impact has a rippling effect on all hospital resources. Although ARHS has been stockpiling supplies since January, drastic surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations have caused it to use PPE, equipment and supplies at a much faster rate.