The laboratory at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation closed down today and will possibly reopen this evening, May 31. A water pipe that’s part of the hospital’s sprinkler system malfunctioned and flooded the lab.
The incident happened at 11:30 a.m. The hospital shut off electricity to the area and is assessing the damage. YKHC spokesperson Mitchell Forbes says that, thankfully, little lab work was scheduled for the afternoon, and not many patients would have been affected by the closure.
The hospital is working to reopen the lab this evening, so it can be used by emergency room patients through the weekend. Other hospital services are operating as usual.
