Army Corps Handling Hundreds Of Requests For Makeshift Hospitals

(Washington, DC) — As the coronavirus outbreak grows, the Army Corps of Engineers is handling hundreds of requests for makeshift hospitals around the U.S. During a Pentagon briefing, Lieutenant General Todd Semonite said the Corps is working closely with governors and state-and-local officials on “site assessments.” Existing buildings can be transformed into makeshift hospitals, including hotels. Semonite said each site presents logistical challenges that must be resolved. He stressed that the Corps is flexible and said the situation is evolving.

Semonite noted that several sites are ready to go, depending on the availability of medical supplies, equipment and staff. He said that is largely up to FEMA, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department and state-and-local officials. In New York City, the Army Corps transformed the Javits Convention Center into a hospital.

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Terry Moore/jas VA) WDC) NY) NYC)