Suspicious Device Disarmed at Salem Hospital (UPDATE)

A suspicious device at Salem Hospital has been disarmed. The staff there says they have received word from the Salem Police that they can now open up the parking garage. Operations are returning to normal.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Bomb teams disarmed a suspected explosive device that was found on the first floor of the Salem Hospital parking garage Thursday, at the corner of Mission Street SE and Capitol Street SE. The device was described as a pipe with wires attached to it.

A hospital spokesperson said no bomb threats were received.

As Salem Police Department was called along with their bomb squad, hospital staff immediately cleared the structure of pedestrians and allowed no more access to the garage.

Patients were picked up at the main entrance any of the buildings on the hospital campus. Flaggers are directing traffic.

Throughout the event, the staff activated the labor pool and called an external Disaster Code, according to a hospital spokesperson.

"We are doing a sweep of all our buildings. So far, the three smaller buildings, Urgent Care, the Information Services building, and the Business Office have all been cleared."

Lobbies remained staffed to answer questions, while all entrances and exits remained guarded and anyone carrying a bag was searched.

The hospital had canceled all elective appointments for the remainder of the day. All patients who are here will be seen. The cancellation was to minimize traffic on campus until the situation is resolved.

The Family Birth Center continued to accept women for birth services.

Urgent Care and the Emergency Department both stayed open and ready to take anyone who needs their services.

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