HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC 1080) - Over 600 beds are now awaiting recovering COVID-19 patients at the field hospital site in the Connecticut Convention Center.
Hartford HealthCare officials announced the inaugural operation of the COVID-19 field hospital at the center Wednesday.
Jeffrey Flaks, the president of Hartford HealthCare, said the army field hospital holds 626 beds which will be used for patients who have been treated for COVID-19 but may need more time to recover and have no alternative place to go.
Over one thousand Hartford HealthCare staff members will operate the site, Flaks said, along with volunteers, retirees and community members.
Currently, the site is not holding any patients. Flaks said the site will most likely not be used in the next several days, but it is ready for when there is a surge of patients, and it will help free up hospital capacity.
Officials say staff members will test the clinical work flow in the space on Monday to ensure it's ready for incoming patients.
The Connecticut National Guard and Hartford HealthCare collaborated in the building of the site which began on Saturday, April 11.
According to Flaks, another site is being built at Central Connecticut State University which will have 200 beds.
