A recent surge in patient volume at Visalia’s Kaweah Delta Medical Center has pushed the hospital to set up a temporary reception tent outside the hospital to receive, evaluate and register emergency department (ED) patients during peak periods of demand.

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The tent is a fully operable “room” with electricity, HVAC and various supplies.

“Our ED is one of the busiest in the state seeing 90,000 patients each year, but the demand for our medical services has increased to the point that we are taking further steps to best care for each person seeking medical care,” Lindsay Mann, CEO of Kaweah Delta Health Care District, said in a statement.

While the tent will assist with overflow and allow patients to be treated more quickly, Kaweah Delta is urging those with non-life-threatening needs to visit doctors’ offices or urgent care clinics.

Urgent care facilities in Visalia include Kaweah Delta Urgent Care (1633 S. Court St.), Sequoia Prompt Care (1110 S. Ben Maddox Way or 820 S. Akers St. #100) and Visalia Medical Clinic’s Quickcare (5400 W. Hillsdale Ave.).

Those without a physician can also inquire about scheduling a same-day appointment at one of Kaweah Delta’s community clinics. These clinics include Visalia Family Medicine Center (202 W. Willow), Dinuba Health Clinic (355 Monte Vista Drive), Exeter Health Clinic (1014 San Juan Ave.), Lindsay Health Clinic (839 N. Sequoia Ave.), and Woodlake Health Clinic (180 E. Antelope Ave.).