WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Between police officers, barricades, and private security, the DCU Center in Worcester is being well-guarded right now, and for good reason.
With COVID-19 numbers reaching new heights, the hockey arena has once again been converted into a fully-equipped coronavirus field hospital to help deal with the state's surge in hospital capacity.
Medical Director John Broach said he learned a lot the first time the DCU Center was set up to deal with a sudden increase in patients.
"One of the things we really wanted to focus on this time is not only the great medical care we provide here, but making sure the patients' experience is really good too."
With more oxygen, more medications on hand, and nearly double the number of bed with 215, Broach said they really will be able to take better care of patients. There is also a focus on ensuring being hospitalized with COVID-19 is not such an isolating experience.
"Everyone here is COVID-positive ," Broach said, "so we have created a lounge where people can sit and watch TV, and talk to each other."
It's not been predetermined which patients will be sent to Worcester's field hospital, but they will arrive on as as-needed basis from other hospitals across the Commonwealth.
WBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer reports:
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