Mold forces NGMC to relocate some employees

GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has had to relocate 18 employees in the Ocie Pope Education Building because of mold, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed Thursday morning. However, Melissa Tymchuk said the building was not closed.

"...we just had to relocate some employees from the affected areas while we complete the remediation," Tymchuk said in confirming the problem to AccessNorthGa.com. "And...one employee who was relocated from the second floor has already returned, as we've finished the work in that area."

Tymchuk said recent rains caused the mold and some water damage in the building. She added that three of the 18 workers who were relocated were treated for upper respiratory problems, such as coughing and sneezing.

The building is separate from the main part of the hospital complex and houses no patients.

Gainesville has received more than a foot of rain since June 30, including 1.88 inches Thursday.

(AccessnorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)