Ontario Construction News staff writer
Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington is building a temporary Pandemic Response Unit to expand the hospital’s bed capacity in preparation for the anticipated surge of COVID-19 patients.
This modular structure is being built on the hospital grounds and connected to the South Tower. It will provide 93 additional beds for patients who require hospitalization and treatment for COVID-19.
BLT Construction is erecting the structure. “”Every day counts,” CBC quoted BLT president Mark Watts as saying. “Every day means lives.”
“The Pandemic Response Unit is being built as a critical part of our pandemic response plan to meet the heightened care needs of our community and ultimately save lives,” says Eric Vandewall, president and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital.
“We are doing everything we can to care for the people of Burlington to prepare for these unprecedented times.” The Pandemic Response Unit is a collaboration between the hospital, community-based health care providers, the City of Burlington, and Halton Region.
“The construction of the Pandemic Response Unit will allow the hospital to preserve our critical care and high acuity patient beds for our sickest patients,” said Dr. Ian Preyra, Chief of Staff for Joseph Brant Hospital.
“Physicians from the Burlington community are volunteering to provide patient care in the Pandemic Response Unit, treating COVID-19 positive patients with acute care needs who may require oxygen therapy and ongoing monitoring.
“I have confidence in our health care system, and particularly in our healthcare professionals.
The Federal government has provided an extra $500 million to provinces to support the healthcare system. play to protect ourselves and our community from Covid-19,” states Hon. Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington.
“Joseph Brant Hospital’s plan for a Pandemic Response Unit is a critical step in ensuring we have the right resources in place during COVID-19,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.
“This is a difficult time for everyone as we fight this “invisible threat” and I applaud the leadership at Joseph Brant Hospital and all community partners who are working together to support our healthcare workers. It is also important at this time for everyone in our community to practice physical distancing to reduce the burden on our hospital resources,” states Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.
BLT says that “net proceeds from our COVID-19 relief effort will be donated to support the homeless in the regions impacted.”