The 54-bed mobile respiratory care unit is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, an international, Christian-based relief organization. It includes a team of more than 60 people from across the country, including 40 medical professionals.
“I am in awe at how quickly this field hospital became a reality,” Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris said. “Once the call for help was made, city staff and local community members — in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse — came together to raise the field hospital in record time. We still have a way to go through this pandemic and the support of Samaritan’s Purse could not have come at a better time. This hospital will be crucial in reducing the burden on our local health care system.”
Ed Mirzabegian, CEO of Antelope Valley Hospital, said the medical center experienced a surge of patients after each previous holiday, “so we’re preparing and bracing ourselves for the surge resulting from the New Year’s Eve celebrations. With the added 50-bed capacity, the extra medical resources, and their talented medical staff, the help comes at a good time and will ease the weight from the main hospital. There’s help needed across the country, and we feel blessed Samaritan’s Purse chose our hospital and our city.”
Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said he was in the Antelope Valley last week.
“I was so impressed with the way the city and hospital, along with our disaster response team, have worked together to be prepared to meet the needs during this recent spike,” Graham said. “Please join me in praying for the leaders of this community, the patients in need, and for all frontline workers battling the virus.”
The number of coronavirus patients in Los Angeles County hospitals stood at 7,498 on Sunday, Jan. 17, with 23% in the ICU. After peaking at just over 8,000, hospitalizations have been inching downward in recent days. The county has a total of about 2,500 licensed ICU beds.
But health officials have warned that hospital numbers could significantly rise again due to people who were infected over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The county has continued to see elevated daily new case numbers, which always translate to more people being hospitalized.
Previous related story: Emergency Field Hospital for COVID-19 patients opening in Lancaster
Stinger says
I am not so quick to cynicism on this one. Religious organizations have been both bane and boon, but I think they are truly attempting to help… And we could certainly use some help out here in the AV, the area of LA county they frequently forget exists downtown.
david says
Right, isnt there a non religious org that can do this? Because we all know this is only done in order to force conversion by means of guilt trips and manipulation.
Hypocritical says
Samaritan’s Purse stepped up to do this. We should be thankful. The larger issue is that Rex turns a blind eye to Lancaster Baptist’s continuation of holding indoor services and getting cited. They may have the ‘right’ to meet indoors, but if Rex is so concerned about not spreading COVID, he should use his bully pulpit and encourage them to do the right thing. Many churches around the country are meeting online and walking the walk of being safe. Rex likes to talk and make outrageous statements like people who go out with COVID should be shot.
Dave says
Some religious folks don’t know that their faith is portable. It goes with them wherever they go. They, however, think it resides in a building.
Maybe that’s why when they leave the building after Sunday services, they’re back to their old hypocritical and sinful selves.
Hell 4 U says
Yes, there is of course the warmth and friendly place for luke warm agnostics and athiests – It’s run by Louis Cypher.
Girly says
No It’s not God’s work is done every day all over United States. And conversion is of the heart, Some HAVE COLD HEARTS and don’t want to know JESUS. But others WANT to know God SO DONT JUDGE!
david says
don’t die.