UPDATED: PDH clinics and ER operational as of this morning; all services restored

UPDATE Noon: Plumas District Hospital is reporting that all services and phones are now operational.

UPDATE 10:40 a.m.: The dental clinic is now open and operational.

Plumas District Hospital announced this morning, July 20, that its clinics in Quincy and Greenville are open, as are the day care facility and physical therapy. While the hospital isn’t yet fully operational, the emergency room is open. The dental clinic remains unable to see patients at this time.

The healthcare facility’s problems started yesterday afternoon when the power went out in Quincy and the backup generator didn’t perform as needed.

This morning PG&E is installing an additional generator to provide backup until the original generator can be diagnosed and fixed. Even though power is currently restored, the hospital must be prepared if it were to go out again. And with the Dixie Fire burning in the Feather River Canyon where PG&E’s transmission lines run, there is concern.

Yesterday, after consulting with the California Department of Public Health, the hospital diverted its seven in-hospital patients — one went to Eastern Plumas Health Care, five went to a skilled nursing facility in Red Bluff, and one chose to leave the hospital. Those with a medical emergency were asked to call 911 and not proceed directly to the ER.

CEO JoDee Read and COO Darren Beatty were at the hospital late last evening overseeing the transfers.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.