Crews begin work turning Westchester County Center into makeshift hospital

It is expected that it will take about ten days to get everything completed at the Westchester County Center.

News 12 Staff

Mar 30, 2020, 9:36 AM

Updated 1,500 days ago

Share:

Crews began work this weekend to turn the Westchester County Center in White Plains into a makeshift hospital.
As the number of people infected by the coronavirus continues to rise, state officials say New York will need to more than double its capacity of hospital beds.
Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an initial four sites that were chosen to be converted into hospitals that included the county center.
It has the main arena and several other rooms plus a little theater on the second floor so there is plenty of space.
A contractor and crew, under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers, are doing the work. It is expected that it will take about 10 days to get everything completed.
There's no word yet as to how many hospital beds will be set up there or if this would be a hospital for COVID-19 patients or those needing medical treatment for non-coronavirus issues.
The Javits Center in Manhattan has been transformed into a 1,000 bed medical station for non-COVID-19 cases, staffed by more than 300 federal workers. That is expected to open up today.
A floating Navy hospital is expected to dock in New York this morning. The USNS Comfort holds about 1,000 hospital beds, has several operating rooms, and an onboard pharmacy.
Two SUNY colleges on Long Island will also be used as makeshift hospitals.
CORONAVIRUS TRACKER - Cases in the tri-state area
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
Your Coronavirus Photos
undefined
 
 


More from News 12
2:07
Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

Fire officials: Fatal Ossining fire doesn't appear to be suspicious

2:34
Storm Watch: Thunderstorms to impact morning commute, sun breaks out by noon

Storm Watch: Thunderstorms to impact morning commute, sun breaks out by noon

1:14
Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

Headlines: Woman stabbed in White Plains, fatal crash on I-84, body of missing guardsman found

0:19
Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

Rabies alert issued in Sullivan County after fox tests positive

0:40
New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

New York honors fallen police officers with memorial wall dedication

0:28
Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

Trial of Wallkill man suspected of hiring someone to kill his neighbor begins today

0:32
SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

SUNY Purchase agrees to suspend disciplinary consequences for protester arrested during campus demonstrations

0:38
Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

Local thrift store hits $4 million in charitable giving to Northern Westchester hospital

0:31
Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

Orange County school districts poised to implement wards for school board elections

0:30
New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

New Rochelle maintains current elementary school start times despite cost concerns

0:21
Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Small business owners recognized for contributions during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

1:08
Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

Sleepy Hollow music festival to debut with indie rock band Cold War Kids headlining

1:43
Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

Garden Guide: These plants repel weeds and are a natural fertilizer!

0:22
Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

1:46
 21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

1:08
Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

0:57
5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Bedford

5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Bedford

1:42
Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

1:58
Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

2:46
8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school