HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – To help hospitals in Hillsborough County more efficiently serve COVID-19 patients, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has approved $16.4 million in American Rescue Plan funding for three local hospitals.
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved funding for Tampa General Hospital for the continued development of 28 dedicated inpatient infectious disease beds.
The project will include a universal intensive care unit and a surge capacity of up to 91 beds.
The board also approved funding for AdventHealth Carrollwood Hospital to repurpose two existing structures to expand its COVID-19 surge capacity by 24 inpatient beds. The project also will create a space for holding more emergency room patients for observation as the patients wait to transition to other suitable areas.
In addition, commissioners approved funding for St. Joseph’s Hospital to build a 25-bed inpatient psychiatric progressive medical unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital North.
The funding is part of Hillsborough County’s American Rescue Plan Investment Plan and will increase local hospitals’ patient capacity and allow them to more efficiently treat residents impacted by COVID-19. The hospital funding agreements will be in effect through July 31, 2024.
The number of Florida hospital inpatients with COVID-19 has dropped below 5,000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday.
Data released by the department showed 4,920 Florida inpatients had COVID-19, down from 5,208 on Wednesday, 5,336 on Tuesday, and 5,502 on Monday.
Also, the new data showed that 813 COVID-19 patients were in intensive-care units, down from 855 on Wednesday.
Hospitalizations surged in December and early January as the highly contagious omicron variant spread throughout Florida. But case numbers have steadily fallen in recent weeks.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.