The University of Kentucky has announced plans to open a field hospital on the Lexington campus in response to coronavirus. It will be situated in the Nutter Field House sports training facility.
UK Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Mark Newman said the extra beds may not be needed, but it’s important to be prepared in case they are. “First we wanted scale. We will be opening a turn-key temporary medical facility to accommodate 400 patients. We needed that scale, the ability to be able to respond to potentially worse case scenarios,” said Newman.
Newman said hopefully the Lexington field hospital will be ready to go in about two weeks. UK Infection Prevention and Control Director Kim Blanton said today there are eight inpatients at UK Hospital who tested positive for COVID. Dr. Newman says the hospital has well over 900 existing beds. A 2000 bed field hospital is being set up at the Louisville Fairgrounds as well.
UK Division of Infectious Disease Chief Alice Thornton urged Kentuckians to stay logical when it comes to this disease. “I’m originally from West Virginia and if there’s one thing about West Virginians and Kentuckians and rural people is we have common sense. Dig in, find that common sense and use it. Don’t panic. We can do this if we work together,” explained Thornton.
With that, Thorton said social distancing and staying at home remain key ways to fight coronavirus. She said wearing masks in public is another tool in the toolbox, but stressed front line caregivers are priorities for personal protection equipment.
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