Workers and volunteers have been working around the clock, shuffling boxes of equipment and securing medical tents, to erect a 68-bed field hospital in Central Park’s East Meadow. The Upper East Side section of the park is being converted to treat medical patients overflowing from treatment centers and hospitals around the city as COVID-19 cases put pressure on New York City medical personnel and their resources.
Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization, is the group behind the effort, bringing in multiple truckloads of beds, tents and gear, including much-needed ventilators, to support COVID-19 treatment in New York City.
Lead Physician, Dr. Elliot Tenpenny, who treated patients in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak, will command a group of approximately 70 health care workers to tackle the pandemic in the satellite location. Additional volunteers will be on hand to assist his medical staff. Tenpenny and his team are expected to begin treating patients on Tuesday, March 31st.
This is a look inside the field hospital.
Workers lay down the flooring for a medical tent in Central Park’s East Meadow, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A person waits to assist with the building of another medical tent for the Central Park field hospital, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge.
Workers with Samaritan’s Purse inside the Central Park field hospital. March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Workers and volunteers coordinate to build a 68-bed field hospital in Central Park, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A team two works to secure a medical tent in Central Park’s East Meadow, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A group unwraps equipment, getting ready to move it into medical tents. March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Workers move equipment into medical tents at the Central Park field hospital, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Boxes of tents provided by Samaritans Purse, a Christian relief organization who volunteered to erect the Central Park field hospital, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
A group of workers at the Central Park field hospital pose for a picture, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
Central Park’s 68-bed field hospital, March 30, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge
