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UK HealthCare turning Nutter Field House into field hospital

Posted at 2:17 PM, Apr 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-03 18:41:05-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — UK HealthCare is working to create a field hospital on the university’s campus in preparation for a surge of patients who contract COVID-19.

The plan is to turn the Nutter Field House into a 400-bed hospital. The field house is the football team’s practice facility on the south side of campus near Kroger Field.

Officials say they wanted to be prepared for a worst-case scenario as cases of COVID-19 rise in the state.

”We wanted to be able to work, prepare and train for it use before we needed it. I think that’s the whole idea of preparedness, to train and get ready for this so that when it hits, we’re ready to respond,” Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at UK Mark Newman said.

The field hospital will have divided rooms, nurses stations, daily laundry service and temporary generated power to make sure there’s potable water for food services, showers and restrooms.

It’s expected to be ready in the next two weeks.