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California officials provide update on alternate care sites

Posted at 3:15 PM, May 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-20 18:24:55-04

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Health and Human Services Agency, partnered with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services announced reductions in medical surge sites set up in California.

Two leased hospital sites are expected to close next month and several other alternate care facilities will be placed into warm shutdown status to remain available.

"Because of the great work of Californians across the state we have flattened the curve. This is why the stay-at-home order was issued, to save lives and to give the health care delivery system time to prepare," said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.

"I want to thank all our partners who assisted in getting these sites up so quickly to support our communities. Maintaining the use of these facilities going forward will provide us critical flexibility to safeguard the health and safety of Californians as we begin to reopen the state," said Cal OES director Mark Ghilarducci.

Data on hospitalizations indicate that California is showing signs of successful mitigation.

This has allowed the health care delivery system time to prepare.

The creation of these alternate medical sites was part of a wider effort that included obtaining federal assets, working with hospital partners to expand capacity within their existing infrastructure, supporting additional acute care specifically dedicated to COVID-19 patients and creating alternate care sites in partnership with local government.

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