Makeshift Hospitals Opening In Riverside County Amid Coronavirus

This article originally appeared on the Palm Desert Patch

INDIO, CA — Amid the new coronavirus pandemic, a federal medical station with 125 hospital beds is being set up at Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, and another 125-bed site will be opened in western Riverside County, it was announced Tuesday.

Starting Wednesday morning, the California National Guard will be transforming a portion of the fairgrounds into a makeshift hospital. Beds, bed sheets, portable sinks, medication, N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, gowns and face shields are being provided to the county for both sites by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to county spokesperson Brooke Federico.

Once up and running, the federal medical station sites will care for non-ICU patients who are not being treated for coronavirus. The goal is make room for acute COVID-19 patients at area hospitals, Federico said.

To date, the state is receiving a total of eight federal medical stations, with one going to Riverside County. To support the county's vast population and geographic area, local health officials are splitting station supplies between the Indio and western Riverside County sites. Officials have not yet shared the location of the 125-bed federal medical station slated for western Riverside County.

“We know we’ll have more [COVID-19] cases and some of them will be serious,” said Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser. “This medical station will relieve stress from our hospitals, allowing them to better provide higher levels of care for our sickest individuals, and get more people on the way to recovery faster.”

A total of approximately 80 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others, will staff the two sites. Local county medical workers as well as those from for-profit systems in Riverside County will be tapped; there is the possibility that some may come from outside the region, Federico said.

"That is still being worked out," she said.

Indio Mayor Glenn Miller thanked the California National Guard for its support in setting up the federal medical station in his city.

“Their assistance will enable our local first responders and public safety officers to spend their time and energy within the community, where their efforts are most needed," he said.

The National Guard was deployed to the Coachella Valley this week, where they have been assisting a dwindling volunteer workforce at the region's largest food bank amid the coronavirus pandemic. READ: National Guard Arrives In Coachella Valley To Assist Food Bank

Indio is the eastern seat of Riverside County, and the Coachella Valley has reported the highest concentration of COVID-19 cases. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 59 confirmed cases countywide, with 28 in the Coachella Valley. Six COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in the Coachella Valley.

“I am proud our Riverside County Fairgrounds will aid in this critical mission of providing a venue for health care,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. "I want to thank Congressman Ruiz as well as Assemblymembers Garcia and Mayes for their ongoing support and for ensuring that the federal medical station is established in the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County.”

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Riverside County. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.