The field hospital at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound on April 16, 2020. (Submitted photo)The field hospital at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound on April 16, 2020. (Submitted photo)
Midwestern

Grey Bruce Health Services ready for COVID-19 surge

Grey Bruce Health Services has built a 75 bed emergency field hospital at the Lumley Bayshore in Owen Sound in just two weeks.

It's designed to handle a surge in case permanent hospitals in the area are unable to cope.

CEO Gary Sims says it was built in collaboration with the City of Owen Sound. He says so far it hasn't been needed and he hopes it never is.

"I want to thank all the people that have worked so hard over the last two months and frankly all of the community for staying with social distancing and doing their part to help control how this virus has spread. That has made a world of difference to where we are today," says Sims.

Sims says the field hospital is completely self sufficient with equipment for oxygen, suction, x-ray capacity, lab testing and drug dispensing.

It would be staffed with available employees from the permanent hospital in Owen Sound and the other Grey Bruce Health Services sites along with support from other hospitals and doctors in Grey Bruce.

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