UConn Stamford Dorms To House Recovering Coronavirus Patients

STAMFORD, CT — A 116-unit UConn Stamford residence hall will be used to house patients recovering from the new coronavirus, according to a recent announcement. On Thursday, the university's board of trustees unanimously approved a legal agreement to sublease the residence hall to the city, which will operate it as a place where recovering coronavirus patients can rest after their hospitalizations.

In an announcement Friday, the university said the building will be occupied by people who have been "treated and discharged" from area hospitals but still test positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19. Patients at the residence hall will then be able to recover in isolation without potentially exposing others to the virus.

All of the rooms in the residence hall, located at 900 Washington Boulevard, were recently packed and cleaned by the university. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for free Patch alerts and daily newsletters from all across Connecticut.)

"Our role in serving the local community is hugely important," UConn Board of Trustees Chairman Dan Toscano said in a statement, "and when they come asking for something like this, it's critical that UConn is able to pivot quickly to be able to help out."

Under the sublease agreement, the city will operate the six-story residence hall, including determining who will live there and, later, absorbing any costs incurred by UConn due to the city's use of the building.

Stamford officials will also arrange to have food and other items delivered directly to the recovering patients so they can remain isolated in their rooms as they rest and recover.

The building, which opened in 2017, is centrally located in Stamford and offers apartment-style units with kitchens and other amenities, according to the university. Over 300 students had lived in the building before the university changed operations last month.

Additionally, 333 rooms in residence halls at UConn's Storrs campus have been packed and cleaned for potential use by the state or other entities if they need housing for medical personnel, recovering patients or other people, the university said.

State officials have also looked at the gymnasium at UConn Avery Point as a potential place to add beds for COVID-19 patients if that region needs the capacity, according to the university.

Additional information can be found in the full release on the university website.