With temporary hospitals established for COVID-19 patients in Central Park and the tennis stadium that host the U.S. Open in Queens, one is on its way to the Bronx as well.
Over the weekend, Councilman Andrew Cohen, FEMA and the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance announced a temporary field hospital will be coming to the parade ground at Van Cortlandt Park.
According to Cohen, the alternate care site is expected to be up and running within three weeks and will provide 200 beds across 12 acres. Work on the hospital started Saturday by U.S. Army Corps and FEMA. A FEMA representative said the Van Cortlandt Park facility is intended to treat COVID-19 positive patients.
“The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is proud to do its part during this unprecedented situation,” the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance said on Facebook. “We will provide additional details when we can.”
Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz praised FEMA for this decision. They also believe the site will be run by Montefiore.
“Proud the #Bronx will support New York’s #COVID19 response and our historic park will provide critical relief for our City’s hospitals during this moment of need,” Cohen said on Twitter.
“I love Van Cortlandt Park and have always fought for it, but right now this is a crisis,” Dinowitz said. “I am so grateful and admiring of all the healthcare workers and other frontline personnel who are putting themselves at risk of exposure so that we can save as many lives as possible.”
