WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - As state officials prepare for a surge in coronavirus cases, Worcester’s DCU Center is being transformed into a 250-bed field medical station.
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Setup at the indoor arena and convention center complex in downtown Worcester is slated to begin on Wednesday after the federal government approved the DCU Center as a medical station site.
It will be equipped to treat those who are sickened by the coronavirus but not in critical condition, according to Gov. Charlie Baker. The state is preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases between April 7 and April 17, Baker said Monday.
“Our entire strategy has been to slow the spread of this deadly virus,” said UMass Memorial CEO Dr. Eric Dickson. “We came up with a plan to create surge capacity, we all decided the DCU is the best place for that to occur.”
About 90 health care workers, mostly UMass Memorial Health Care physicians and nurses, will staff the facility, with oversight from state and local leaders. But officials are calling on nursing, pharmaceutical, and medical students to help as well.
As of Tuesday, there were 6,620 confirmed coronavirus cases in the Bay State and 89 deaths.
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