(WXYZ) — Two metro Detroit field hospitals will open with medical staff and PPE shortages.
The TCF Center downtown could open by the end of the week with 1,000 beds for COVID-19 patients. However, there will be a shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for support staff working inside the convention center, including construction workers, building trades and food service workers.
The order is not set to arrive until April 20.
Mayor Mike Duggan says the number of patients will likely be phased in 100 at a time and they will be lower risk patients, including those coming out of intensive care.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she has put out the call to health care workers throughout the region to come to work in metro Detroit.
She told 7 Acton News as a last resort she could order workers from other parts of the state to work in metro Detroit. But she adds, it may not come to that.
In addition to TCF Center, the governor contracted with the Suburban Collection Showplace as a second field hospital with another 1,000 beds. That is not expected to be running for several days as the build-out is just getting started.
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