Planning underway for field hospitals to handle coronavirus overflow
A field hospital in New York’s Central Park. [WABC] |
Northern Virginia leaders have identified sites that could be used for temporary field hospitals to accommodate a surge in COVID-19 cases, WTOP reported March 31.
As the number of cases increase, beds would be added at existing hospitals or on hospital campuses.
If those facilities are overwhelmed, the next step calls for establishing makeshift hospitals at the National Conference Center in Loudoun County, the Dulles Expo Center in Fairfax County, and George Mason University in the City of Fairfax. The National Conference Center could accommodate up to 1,000 beds, while the other sites could each have at least 500.
The Fairfax County Land Development Services office developed a streamlined procedure for establishing temporary medical structures adjacent to existing medical facilities to serve an overflow of COVID-19 patients. Building and land disturbance permits would be waived for these structures.
In other coronavirus news:
Inmate infected – A man in his 20s staying at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center has tested positive for COVID-19. He has been incarcerated since January 29 and is now in isolation at the jail.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Health Department to identify individuals who have been in close contact with that inmate and are at increased risk. Enhanced screening and cleaning procedures were implemented at the Adult Detention Center in mid-March, and personal visiting and volunteer programs have been suspended.
There are 245 COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District, including 20 new ones, as of March 31.
Related story: Gov. Northam issues stay-at-home order
Pastor Baldwin recovering – “This thing is no joke. It is serious,” says Pastor Kenny Baldwin of Crossroads Baptist Church in Bailey’s Crossroads who is recovering at home after being hospitalized for COVID-19. “I felt like I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” Baldwin says in a news report on WUSA Channel 9.
Baldwin started feeling bad when he was preaching in North Carolina in mid-March. He went to an urgent care center there, but didn’t have a fever and tested negative for strep. After coming home he felt worse, with chills and aches, and went to a hospital where he was diagnosed with
pneumonia and released.
He felt much worse at home and returned to the hospital the same day where his condition significantly worsened and he tested positive for COVID-19. Various treatments weren’t helping.
“I was just lying on the bed begging God, please just give me a chance, please just get me through this,” Baldwin recalled. What finally helped was hydroxychloroquinine, an anti-malaria drug that some doctors are using to treat COVID-19. He was released from the hospital March 28.
“Please stay home,” Baldwin urges the public. “Social distance yourself. Please take this virus seriously.”
Related story: Pastor in Bailey’s Crossroads tests positive for coronavirus
No more pet adoptions – The Fairfax County Animal Shelter has suspended all pet adoptions. If your pet ran away and is at the shelter, you’ll need to make an appointment by email at [email protected] before visiting the shelter.
TP and growlers – Great American Restaurants announced a special deal: Anyone who purchases growler of beer from any Sweetwater Tavern location will receive two free rolls of toilet paper. Bring a growler for a refill and get one free roll.
Coronavirus scams – Fairfax County officials warn the public about scam artists taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to con people into buying fake cures or promoting fake charities. Ask to see a solicitor’s license, and if they refuse to show one, ask them to leave and lock the door.
Child exploitation – The FBI urges parents to be extra vigilant as children spending long hours out of school are more likely to become victims of online predators.