LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Southern Nevada Health District passed a motion approving the construction of a COVID-19 annex at their headquarters in Las Vegas unanimously on Tuesday morning.
The Health District held an emergency meeting for approval for the alternate care facility amid the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The new facility will contain 40 beds for patients who test positive for the coronavirus and don't have anywhere to self-isolate like the homeless, visitors, or elderly people who can't return to their nursing homes.
"This isolation will be offered to them based on the need," said Dr. Fermin Leguen with SNHD.
Ernest Blazzard, SNHD chief financial officer, said the building would cost the district $3,000,000, and they expect FEMA would reimburse 75% of that cost through funds made available by President Trump's National Emergency Declaration and the recently passed two trillion dollar stimulus package.
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13 Action News Reporter Sean DeLancey is live-tweeting information from the SNHD meeting, conducted as a conference call to practice social distancing. Follow him on Twitter @SeanKTNV for the latest.
Leguen said the new facility should be complete in seven to 10 days.
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