MADISON, WI (WTAQ) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is opening up the alternate care site at the state fairgrounds in West Allis as a result of the increased level of COVID-19 in the state.
The site will be opened next week and will be used primarily for patients transitioning out of the hospital and at a less severe stage of infection.
The 530 bed facility has been complete and ready-to-go since mid-April, however it has yet to be used. Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin DHS announced in a Wednesday press conference that they will begin preparing that facility for patients and begin populating the facility next week.
The move was made in an effort to take pressure off of hospitals in the state, some of which are seeing strain in their intensive care units as a result of COVID-19.
