tl/dr - Extremists flood the phone system at a small hospital, creating a TDoS (telephony denial of service).

News > Health-Care

Valley Regional Hospital targeted over man’s COVID treatment

By JOHN LIPPMAN
Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 12/16/2021 9:53:27 PM
Modified: 12/16/2021 9:52:58 PM

CLAREMONT — Valley Regional Hospital this week boosted security after it received threatening telephone calls regarding a patient under its care, the Claremont hospital said in a news release Thursday. ... The announcement came after Valley Regional became the target of a social media campaign when the family of a patient being treated there for COVID-19 called upon the hospital to respond to their demands for alternative treatment.

Describing the hospital as “currently in a status of heightened awareness and security,” Valley Regional said access to the facility has been restricted to a single entry and exit point.

“Valley Regional Hospital received telephonic threats regarding a patient in our care. The Claremont Police Department has been notified and police have been posted in the hospital,” the news release said. “Staff who routinely work remotely have been asked to continue to do so. We continue to work with the Claremont Police Department, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”

On Thursday afternoon a Claremont police cruiser was parked outside the emergency room entrance — now the sole designated entry —and would be alternating with a Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department deputy, said Claremont Police Chief Mark Chase, who was also at the hospital in his SUV.

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Contact John Lippman at jlippman@vnews.com.