COVID-19 treatment centre at Vancouver Convention Centre being dismantled
Posted July 13, 2021 6:23 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations continue to decline in B.C., a temporary medical facility at the Vancouver Convention Centre is set to be dismantled.
In April of 2020, Vancouver Coastal Health established a 271-bed “alternative care site” in the event that hospitals were overwhelmed with patients. It was never activated.
“While we are fortunate that we did not have to activate the site, your dedication meant that if our hospitals were at capacity, people in Vancouver would have had a safe place to receive health care. It’s great to see the centre about to return to its original, vibrant space,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in a statement.
With approval from the Ministry of Health, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has initiated the planned demobilization of the Alternate Care Site (ACS) located at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Read the official information bulletin: https://t.co/hgHlW4AYwF pic.twitter.com/ZHDtTwlfGt
— Vancouver Coastal Health (@VCHhealthcare) July 13, 2021
RELATED: Vancouver Convention Centre to reopen as medical facility April 8
The site will be fully “demobilized by Friday.
Vancouver Coastal Health says the rolling daily average of coronavirus cases in the province dropped to 46.9 on July 12, down from 140.7 on June 12. At the peak of the third wave, there were more than 500 people being treated in B.C. hospitals. There are currently 66 people in hospital, 14 of whom are in the ICU.
“Plans have been put in place to support a site remobilization, if needed. VCH deeply appreciates the support of all partners and frontline workers who helped to mobilize and maintain this ACS during the pandemic,” says a statement from the health authority.
