BUFFALO, N.Y. — Catholic Health announced today that it will convert its St. Joseph Campus into a COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, treatment center.
As part of that conversion, the emergency department will be closed indefinitely, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"The hospital is still in the planning stages for this conversion and not prepared accept COVID-19 patients at this time," according to a statement released Saturday evening.
Local EMS providers have been notified of the change at the Harlem Road location, and people with medical emergencies are asked to either call 911 or go to another emergency department.
So far, Catholic Health has over 170 associates who have already volunteered to work in COVID-19 treatment. Catholic Health plans to add 45 to 50 additional critical care beds, and 100 to 120 medical surge beds.
Mark A. Sullivan, President & CEO of Catholic Health said in a press conference Thursday that so far 80% of COVID-19 cases can be treated at home, but 15% require a regular hospital stay and 5% require ICU care, so there will be a significant need for hospital space.
Sullivan says they chose St. Joesph's since it is a standalone campus in a central location, has a lower number of patients there, and provides the ability to use multiple entrances.
Sullivan added that right now they don't have a number as far as cost, but says the cost of not taking these measures would be far greater.
Catholic Health plans to take a phase-in approach to adding new ICU capabilities, preparing and moving the hospital to a COVID treatment center.
The treatment center will be an "added benefit" Sullivan said, to the treatment of COVID-19, which will still continue to happen in all area hospitals.