By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Office and work areas at the main entrance of St. Luke Hospital in Marion are being remodeled to create better work and storage areas.

The work also will make the main lobby less likely to be a place where COVID-19 could be spread, chief executive Jeremy Ensey said.

Registration and check-in windows are being moved apart so people will be less congested.

A window through which documents are passed will be lowered to make it easier for people in wheelchairs.

A work room south of the area is being converted to office space. It likely will be the home of the hospital’s accounting office, he said.

Much, but not all, money for the $150,000 project will come from a federal COVID grant. The hospital’s operational budget will cover $25,000 of the money.

Each rural hospital in the state received $258,376 through the program.

Half of the money could be used for remodeling or mitigation.

Work began last week and is expected to be completed Jan. 19, Ensey said.