CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia was placed on lockdown yesterday afternoon, an employee at the hospital confirmed, with staff told to stay put and entrances locked. The hospital did not immediately say why it had tightened access or how long the security measures would last.
That confirmation surfaced through a report from Queen City News, which said it had reached out to the Gastonia Police Department for additional details. At the time, there was still no public timeline for when the lockdown might be lifted.
What We Know
CaroMont Regional Medical Center is Gaston County's largest acute-care hospital and offers trauma, neonatal and other specialty services, according to CaroMont Health. During Sunday's lockdown, staff inside the campus were reported to be sheltering in place while access to the building was restricted.
Why Hospitals Lock Down
Hospitals typically turn to lockdowns to control who gets in and out and to protect patients and staff during active threats, surges of violent-trauma patients or other safety incidents, according to AHA Trustee Services. Those protocols rely on access controls, surveillance systems and coordinated procedures with law enforcement to secure a facility while any outside situation is assessed.
Past Lockdowns And What To Expect
CaroMont has previously been placed on brief lockdowns after nearby shootings, with local stations documenting precautionary closures in past years, including coverage from WCCB Charlotte and WSOC. Those earlier lockdowns were lifted after police cleared nearby scenes and officials said there was no ongoing threat to patients.
Queen City News reported that it had contacted the Gastonia Police Department for comment, but details remained limited at the time of its story. This article will be updated as soon as officials release further information.
