SUNY Old Westbury field hospital to be finished by April 19

The field hospital for Covid-19 patients at SUNY Old Westbury should be completed in less than two weeks, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The corps is building the field hospital to accommodate those affected by the coronavirus as the pandemic creates severe overcrowding in hospitals.

“We expect to complete the project by April 19,” Michael Embrich, a member of the corps’ press office, said.

The facility is designed to hold 1,024 beds, he said, and part of the school’s gymnasium will be used for the capacity.

“Some beds will be inside the gymnasium, but most will be in the temporarily constructed alternate care facilities around the campus,” Embrich said.

The state of New York, which operates the school, said early last month that the staff would be made up of volunteering nurses and doctors from around the area.