National Guard Help Sought by Dr. Page

For Facilities With COVID-19 Patients

County Executive Dr. Sam Page has requested assistance from the Missouri National Guard as the region prepares for an escalation of the COVID-19 virus.

“As we prepare for the surge of this pandemic, the National Guard can play a critical role in helping us transport patients and supplies to free up our healthcare professionals to focus on treatment and care of our residents,” said County Executive Page. He made the request in a letter to Gov. Mike Parson.

Members of the National Guard also would assist with security at hospitals, testing sites, the county’s warehouse and at the North County Recreation Center, which has been opened to house the unsheltered.

“During this challenging time, these young women and men will be an invaluable asset,” County Page said.

In a related matter, it was announced that Construction will start this weekend by the National Guard for using a Quality Inn, 55 Dunn Road in Florissant. The hotel will provide at least 100 additional beds and could accept patients as early as next week.Other facilities in St. Louis and throughout Missouri will also be converted for hospital beds for patients with “mild or no symptoms and by those identified as requiring treatment, but not hospitalization,” Gov. Mike Parson office stated in a press release.

If necessary, the Florissant Quality Inn site could accommodate more than 100 people and be used to house individuals who test positive for COVID-19 with mild or no symptoms as well as individuals exposed to COVID-19 and identified and referred by health care professionals as requiring treatment but not hospitalization. Hospitals may also transfer recovering patients no longer in need of acute care but still requiring medical assistance. Criteria could be adjusted in consultation with health care professionals as the situation continues to develop.

“Our hospitals and medical professionals are working tirelessly to meet the needs of Missourians infected with COVID-19,” Governor Parson said. “This alternate care site, which will include medical staffing from the Missouri National Guard and SEMA’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team (MO DMAT-1), can significantly increase their capacity by freeing up hospital beds for patients with more acute medical needs.”

Three main selection criteria were considered by the Alternate Care Site Working Group in choosing the Florissant site:

• Located in an area with the potential need for additional beds;
• Sufficient space for patient populations; and
• Available utilities to start immediate construction.

For the latest on COVID-19, visit www.stlcorona.com

.

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us