More COVID-19 Hospital Beds To Be Funded By Hillsborough County

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — To help hospitals in Hillsborough County more efficiently serve COVID-19 patients, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has approved $16.4 million in American Rescue Plan funding for three local hospitals.

Commissioners unanimously approved funding for Tampa General Hospital for the continued development of 28 dedicated inpatient infectious disease beds. The project will include a universal intensive care unit and a surge capacity of up to 91 beds.

The board also approved funding for AdventHealth Carrollwood Hospital to repurpose two existing structures to expand its COVID-19 surge capacity by 24 inpatient beds. The project also will create a space for holding more emergency room patients for observation as the patients wait to transition to other suitable areas.

In addition, commissioners approved funding for St. Joseph's Hospital to build a 25-bed inpatient psychiatric progressive medical unit at St. Joseph's Hospital North in Lutz.

The funding will increase local hospitals’ patient capacity and allow them to more efficiently treat residents impacted by COVID-19. The hospital funding agreements will be in effect through July 31, 2024.

The Hillsborough County American Rescue Plan Investment Plan, approved by the commission on Sept. 1, provides a framework for investing the $285 million in federal coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds in the community.