Officials at Monroe Hospital near Bloomington are declining to say whether they’re caring for patients exhibiting COVID-19, but say they’re prepared for a potential influx.
The hospital says it has identified specific areas to place patients, developed plans to mitigate risks of infection spreading within the hospital, and plan to take care of their employees by providing them with proper amounts of personal protective equipment.
The hospital says there is ample personal protective equipment and testing capability currently.
Monroe Hospital spokesman Thomas Whitehead declined to share the number of ICU beds or ventilators available, but says they’re hoping to increase capacity.
"I think at this point we’re good," he says. "We do, like everybody else, have to really watch our supplies. We don’t want to be just willy nilly with them, we’re being frugal."
READ MORE: Indiana Releases Specific ICU Bed, Ventilator Numbers
Whitehead says patients who are concerned about their health should do their best to heed official guidelines and stay home.
IU Health Capacity
IU Health South Central Region President Brian Shockney says the Bloomington hospital currently has 272 beds with the ability to expand within the building.
"We have backup plans for external sites as well. We won't disclose where those are, but we will always expand within our hospital first," Shockney says.
Shockney also says because of IU Health's expanded system, it could use space in other area hospitals in Bedford, Paoli and Martinsville, if needed.
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