Georgia emergency-management officials have in recent weeks inquired about whether a Macon venue might be available if the number of seriously ill coronavirus patients overwhelms the state’s hospital system.
Gov. Brian Kemp, in a Monday news briefing to update Georgians on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, announced that Macon is now one of four cities outside Atlanta where makeshift treatment centers will be opened.
“As I’ve mentioned previously, the state purchased four temporary medical units to expand bed capacity and [will] strategically deploy them based on need,” Kemp said.
The other sites were in Rome, Albany and Gainesville; all were expected to be operational between April 21 and May 5. The additional beds are part of the state’s preparation for an estimated surge of COVID-19 patients in late April and early May.
Statewide hospital bed capacity will also be buttressed by a 200-bed “alternate care facility”the state is installing at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“Using the 200 non-ICU medical pods, similar to large cubicles, we will be able to house Georgians with mild-to-moderate symptoms and, if needed, we can quickly expand capacity to 400 non-ICU beds,” Kemp said. “Our team will utilize contract medical staffing for the state’s projected peak date, currently set for April 26, according to the IHME model.”
It wasn’t immediately clear where the Macon facility will be; however recent reports, including one in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said officials had asked about the availability of the Macon Coliseum.
This story will be updated when a location is announced.
Source: The Telegraph