Last coronavirus patients leave Boston Hope field hospital to applause, tears

BOSTON — The last two patients released from field hospital Boston Hope Medical Center departed the makeshift facility for recovering coronavirus patients to applause and celebration Tuesday.

Joseph Murphy, 68, of East Weymouth, pumped his fists in victory as staff wheeled him outside following a 36-day stay.

Family members watched by FaceTime, as staff members sang along to Murphy's favorite songs from Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond with tears in their eyes.

The very last patient to leave, Oger Julien, 78, of Malden, waved his arms, thankful for his health and his medical team.

Julien spent eight days in the 1,000-bed field hospital that opened in April at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to take in recovering Covid-19 patients and help relieve the strain on area hospitals.

As the number of coronavirus cases slowly declines from the peak of the pandemic, the field hospital is no longer needed.

While Boston Hope closed its doors, the facility will remain in case it is needed in the future.

A rousing sendoff as last coronavirus patients leave Boston field hospital Health care workers and staff sang along to Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond with tears in their eyes as the final two patients left the Boston Hope field hospital on June 2.

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RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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