HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut is looking into re-purposing old nursing homes and empty college dormitories to help free up space for hospitals as they brace for more COVID-19 patients.
Over 400 people in Connecticut have tested positive for the virus, and 10 patients have died.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
Lamont said his administration has prioritized 2,000 nursing home beds that should be available over the next month or so for patients with COVID-19 infections. He said mobile field hospitals are also about to be deployed at Danbury Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.
Additionally, the administration is working with colleges to possibly use empty dorm rooms to house intermediate care patients. West Conn is preparing Fairfield Hall. Spokesman Paul Steinmetz says the 108-bed residence hall on the Midtown campus should be ready by tomorrow. West Conn has not been officially asked to make the space available, but expects to be asked. This would be for intermediate care patients out of the ICU.
