Columbia University's Bubble To Become Coronavirus Field Hospital

NEW YORK, NY – The Bubble at Columbia University's Athletics Complex is being converted into a field hospital in order to treat patients that have mild symptoms related to the new coronavirus, the university announced on Thursday.

The field hospital, located at 218th Street and adjacent to the New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, will be capable of treating as many as 288 patients that have mild COVID-19 symptoms. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus. It will be named in honor of U.S. Navy Seal Ryan F. Larking (1987-2017), who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The field hospital will be largely staffed by former military personnel, including physicians, nurses and medics, in conjunction with New York-Presbyterian leadership and front-line staff.

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Treatment will begin as early as next week, the University said in the statement. The field hospital will not be conducting testing and will not be available to walk-in patients.

Under normal circumstances, the Bubble is used by Columbia's varsity sports teams as an indoor winter practice facility.

For the field hospital, special flooring, electrical power, internet cables, air conditioning and plumbing has been installed to support patients, doctors, nurses and support staff.

"Creating a medical treatment facility inside a dome normally used by our varsity athletes is a first for Columbia," said Peter Pilling, Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, in the announcement. "Everyone has a part to play in this crisis, and we are proud to do what we can to support the health care workers and volunteers who are on the front lines, treating COVID-19 patients."