UMass Lowell Coronavirus Field Hospital To Close

LOWELL, MA — The coronavirus field hospital set up on the UMass Lowell campus is being shut down due to lack of need, Lowell General Hospital said Tuesday.

The university's Campus Recreation Center was converted into an "alternative care space" for recovering coronavirus patients in mid-April but is no longer needed. It will be returned to the university in coming days.

The number of patients with coronavirus symptoms at the hospital has leveled off over the course of May, the hospital said, though it "continues to see volumes well beyond critical care capacity."

Lowell General Chief Executive Officer Jody White urged the community to remain vigilant against the spread of the virus.

“We are encouraged that our hospital and region have not experienced the worst-case scenario that would have required use of the alternative care space, but the pandemic in the Merrimack Valley is far from over,” White says. “We ask that residents continue to support our care teams by social distancing, wearing face coverings, and performing diligent hand hygiene so we can all reach the other side of this crisis.”

The hospital, the city of Lowell, the university, the governor's office and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency worked together to create the field hospital in a matter of days.

“These partnerships make this a safer community for all of us,” White said.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.