Santa Cruz County Identifies Alternate Care Sites
The County of Santa Cruz is preparing additional facilities to treat non-critical hospital patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's in an effort to expand local health care capacity in coordination with the county’s network of local health care providers.
By partnering with 1440 Multiversity and Simpkins Family Swim Center, approximately 100 patients will have a safe place to receive care and recuperate while under the care of medical professionals and in keeping with best medical practices.
The alternative care sites are not for COVID-19 patients, but are designed to open room at hospitals for the surge of coronavirus patients.
“Alternative care sites are being used throughout the country and throughout California," county spokesman Jason Hoppin said. "They are part of any local health jurisdictions surge planning, and what they do is free up the capacity at critical facilities.”
The partnership with 1440 Multiversity is multifaceted, and includes deployment of 1440 Multiversity staff and resources to prepare hundreds of fresh, nutritious meals to be delivered from 1440 Multiversity’s 75-acre private campus three times daily to vulnerable residents in shelters throughout Santa Cruz County.
"We are proud to work for an organization that summoned the courage to express an authentic love for others, and that has the resources available to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County,” Managing director of 1440 Multiversity Frank Ashmore said.
1440 Multiversity will be the main site and the county owned swim center will be the backup.
Alternative care sites are not open to the public and are not walk-up medical facilities. They are designated for individuals with a range of non-complex medical needs and will not be used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The Santa Cruz County Public Health Division is working with local medical specialists, the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center, and the Santa Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps, which is made up of trained volunteers who assist public health efforts during times of special need or disaster and would staff the alternate care sites should the need arise.
In addition, upon request by Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, the County has deployed a portion of its mobile hospital to help triage patients and minimize hospital impacts during the COVID-19 outbreak. This represents the first deployment of any portion of the temporary hospital, which was acquired in 2017 through the California Emergency Medical Service Authority.
