LHSC opening a field hospital to prepare for potential COVID-19 influx

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release:
April 3, 2020

 

(LONDON, Ontario) – As London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) continues to prepare for a potential influx of patients requiring care for COVID-19, work has begun to transform the Western Fair District Agriplex into a temporary off-site hospital. This work is being undertaken in partnership with the Western Fair District and the City of London and is part of the south west Ontario region’s pandemic response plan. 

This facility will be an extension of LHSC under the Public Hospitals Act, and will initially be used as a transfer facility for patients who are recovering from COVID-19, but not yet well enough to be discharged home. LHSC will open a 180 bed unit with the ability to expand the facility to 500 beds.

The field hospital will be managed by LHSC. The facility is being prepared for readiness but will activate only if and when the need arises.

Media are invited to tour the facility and learn more about the plans. *Please note – this will be the only opportunity media will have to access this facility*

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Time: 1:00 pm 
Location: Western Fair District Agriplex
                845 Florence Street

RSVP is required for media by Monday, April 6 at 4:00 pm to:

Kathy Leblanc
Communications Consultant
London Health Sciences Centre
(519) 685-8500 Ext. 74772
kathy.leblanc@lhsc.on.ca


After-hours assistance: 
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communicator on-call.

Visit the LHSC Media web site at https://www.lhsc.on.ca/about-lhsc/media-room
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