FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A 400-bed field hospital will be set up at the University of Kentucky as health officials prepare for a potential surge of coronavirus patients, UK HealthCare officials said Friday.
The goal is to have the makeshift hospital ready in the next two weeks at Nutter Field House, the football practice facility on the Lexington campus, said Dr. Mark F. Newman, UK’s executive vice president for health affairs.
Confronted by an “unprecedented” health crisis, Newman said it’s “essential that we are prepared for any scenario to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and the commonwealth.”
It’s the latest move to create extra bed space as a potential backup for hospitals and health systems as the state braces for a continued escalation of coronavirus cases amid the global pandemic.
On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced plans to set up a 2,000-bed field hospital at the state fairgrounds in Louisville.