University Fieldhouse Becomes Hospital

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The University of Mary Fieldhouse is being transformed to a hospital for coronavirus patients.

With students gone from the university, the North Dakota National Guard and state health officials have set up more than 200 cots and health stations in the fieldhouse. Similar plans are underway for the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent out teams last week to assess potential sites in Bismarck and Fargo.

The Armory at Bismarck State College was considered, but officials determined the space was too small. Health officials would only turn to the university facilities if hospitals couldn't handle a surge in patients.

Gov. Doug Burgum said this week the state has the capacity for more than 2,600 hospital beds without any field hospitals, and that less than 1% of the hospital beds in the state currently are being taken up by COVID-19 patients.

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