On Wednesday, Freeman Health System in Joplin announced a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

At a press conference Wednesday, Freeman administrators and critical care nurses gathered in the Intensive Care Unit, also known as the C-Zone, to mark the milestone of zero COVID-19 patients. At one point during the pandemic, Freeman had three COVID-19 care units, adjusting for the number of patients needing isolation.

President and CEO of Freeman Paula Baker speaking Wednesday. “As you know, it’s been a long two years since COVID-19. And I am so grateful and so appreciative to all of the doctors, the nurses, and all the staff here at Freeman who have been just so dedicated and committed.”

Baker said the hospital expects to receive more COVID-19 patients in the future but emphasized that much has been discovered in the past two years and the hospital system is prepared. Nearby Mercy Joplin reported three COVID patients yesterday. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro