BOSTON — From atop the newest field hospital in Boston hangs a sign that says “Boston Hope”.
In anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 cases, Governor Baker announced the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will be turning into the Boston Hope care facility.
The allusion to Boston Strong, a phrase that united a city devastated by tragedy and brought back the spirit of strength to millions of people, now shines a different light on the perseverance of Bostonians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s an unprecedented effort coming just six days before the Marathon Bombing anniversary next Wednesday. The blue and gold outlining the words are of course the marathon colors and even the ribbon looks like it’s purposefully replicating the Boston strong look.
The facility is the second field hospital set up in the state in an effort to lessen the burden on hospitals in and around the city. On Thursday, the first field hospital opened up at the DCU arena in Worcester.
The beds at the BCEC have been set up almost overnight as part of a city wide, statewide, community-wide partnership with so many hospitals, contractors and administrators.
The new field medical station will increase support for health care workforce and patients, reducing the strain on the state’s health care system and area hospitals. In fact, the state says up to 40% of patients may require intense care help in a hospital acute care setting.
“It’s so important that we ensure patients receive the right care at the right place,” said Dr. Anne Klibanski. “So there are so many patient at our acute hospital who need ICU and other higher levels of care availability.”
Much like the DCU Arena in Worcester, hospitals from across the region are encouraged to send patients to this new field medical station when it opens Friday.
“The Boston Convention Center will eventually provide an additional 1000 beds for COVID-19 patients, 500 of which is the medical side and another 500 to help shelter providers and serve homeless population here in Boston,” said Baker.
In the darkest times, even the Boston Strong could use a little Boston Hope.