SCDOT preps former Midlands hotel as possible surge site for coronavirus cases
A former hotel bought by the South Carolina Department of Transportation for $8 million has been transformed into a potential field hospital under the state’s Hospital Surge Plan to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
SCDOT released photos Tuesday of workers preparing what was once the WoodSpring Suites at the interchange of I-20 and U.S. 1 for use under the state’s plan, which calls for an additional 3,000 beds in capacity by early May. The old hotel, which had kitchenettes for long-term stays, would serve as a tier 1 site, for patients with minor symptoms who are “able to provide self-care.” Should those patients’ symptoms worsen, they would be transported to a tier 3 facility, a hospital, to be evaluated and treated.
As of Monday, the state’s hospitals are at 51% capacity, officials with the Department of Health and Environmental Control said, as Gov. Henry McMaster has also urged medical facilities to postpone elective procedures during the pandemic.
SCDOT first offered up use of the property during the first Agency-head coordination meeting with Governor McMaster on March 16, SCDOT spokesman Pete Poore said.
The property was initially purchased as part of SCDOT’s project to replace the U.S. 1 bridge replacement over I-20 north of Columbia. The property was purchased in December using federal money. It had been slated for demolition, but that has been paused during the pandemic.
When it was being considered as a surge facility, $200,000 in federal money was used to buy the hotel’s furnishings, linens, commercial washer and dryer, fire system and front desk computer system. The state has spent about $48,000 to clean and prepare the hotel in case it’s used as a surge hospital.
In addition, SCDOT said it has removed the median on U.S. 1 to make the location more accessible.
As of Monday, South Carolina has reported 2,232 cases of COVID-19, with 48 deaths related to the coronavirus. Health officials estimate, however, that there are likely more than 15,000 cases across the state factoring in untested positives.
According to one model, South Carolina is still a few weeks away from hitting its peak in cases and won’t need as many hospital beds as previously thought, while DHEC officials had projected there to be more than 8,000 positively identified cases by early May.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the hotel was bought by SCDOT as part of the Carolina Crossroads project.
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 3:55 PM.
