Old furniture showroom owned by Richland County could be coronavirus surge hospital
State emergency officials are looking at using a Richland County-owned property that was once a furniture showroom as a potential overflow medical facility if coronavirus cases overwhelm local hospitals.
Assistant County Administrator John Thompson said during Richland County’s coronavirus committee meeting on Monday that he has spoken to state health officials about using the former Haverty’s furniture showroom near Dutch Square as a potential emergency location.
The property was initially purchased as part of the planned “Richland Renaissance” program. Bought for $2.9 million, the former showroom was meant to serve as a business incubator called the Start Center. The plan, however, was ultimately halted by Richland County Council amid concerns about the cost.
Thompson said he’s spoken with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the U.S. Corps of Engineers about potentially using the property located at 1430 W. Colonial Life Blvd. Officials viewed the facility last week, Thompson said.
“They collected information and sent it up to their decision makers,” Thompson told council members.
South Carolina announced 183 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the statewide total to 2,232. Richland County has more cases than any other county with 311, as of Monday.
The Columbia area’s main hespital systems — Prisma Health, Lexington Medical and Providence Health — have asked for public donations of protective equipment for hospital workers as the COVID-19 outbreak has strained the country’s health care system.
The S.C. National Guard announced on Monday that coliseums and arenas are also being examined as potential emergency hospitals as well.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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