HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - A tent set up outside Hartford Hospital as an alternative care site for COVID-19 patients was taken down Monday.
The tent was set up to offer an extended space for COVID-19 patients in case the hospital reached full capacity with a possible surge of cases, according to Hartford HealthCare Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Ajay Kumar.
Its removal is "a symbol. It's a sign of somewhat coming back to a normal working environment," Kumar said.
Kumar said the tent was never used. However, it served as an important symbol of Hartford Hospital's readiness to fight COVID-19 and as a reminder of the crisis, he said.
Chief of Emergency Medicine at Hartford Hospital, Dr. Kenneth Robinson, said precautions remain in place to prevent COVID-19 infection, including a COVID-19 triage trailer.
If the number of COVID-19 patients goes up, Robinson said, "the trailer will always be there."