Gov. asks for U.S. Army hospital in Albuquerque - Albuquerque Journal

Gov. asks for U.S. Army hospital in Albuquerque

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, shown in this recent photo, has asked the U.S. Department of Defense to set up a 248-bed U.S. Army hospital in Albuquerque to help treat patients infected by the novel coronavirus. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE – With concerns swirling about New Mexico hospitals’ ability to absorb a surge of novel coronavirus cases, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has asked the federal Department of Defense to station a 248-bed U.S. Army hospital in Albuquerque.

The governor made the request this week in a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, saying that setting up a U.S. combat support hospital in the state’s largest city would enhance the state’s treatment capacity.

“This (facility) is urgently needed to support the state of New Mexico’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatens to overwhelm our existing medical treatment facilities and resources by early April,” Lujan Grisham wrote in her letter.

She also asked that the U.S. Army hospital be in place by April 10, or as soon after that date as possible.

Along with other governors, Lujan Grisham has been in regular contact with the White House as the coronavirus outbreak has intensified and cited a federal law that allows agencies to provide disaster assistance in her request this week.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has steadily increased in New Mexico – and nationwide – over the last two weeks. There are currently 136 confirmed cases statewide, after 24 additional positive tests were announced Thursday.

Only 13 coronavirus patients are currently hospitalized in New Mexico, state hospital officials have said the state’s health care system will be overwhelmed if a surge in cases can’t be mitigated.

New Mexico has fewer hospital beds per capita than the national average, with 1.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. The national average is about 2.4 beds per 1,000 people, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

If the request for the U.S. Army hospital is approved, Lujan Grisham said its operations would be directed by New Mexico National Guard Brig. Gen. Michele LaMontagne.

Home » News » Albuquerque News » Gov. asks for U.S. Army hospital in Albuquerque

Insert Question Legislature form in Legis only stories




Albuquerque Journal and its reporters are committed to telling the stories of our community.

• Do you have a question you want someone to try to answer for you? Do you have a bright spot you want to share?
   We want to hear from you. Please email yourstory@abqjournal.com

taboola desktop

ABQjournal can get you answers in all pages

 

Questions about the Legislature?
Albuquerque Journal can get you answers
Email addresses are used solely for verification and to speed the verification process for repeat questioners.
1
8 bikers shot, 3 dead during motorcycle rally in ...
ABQnews Seeker
Multiple people were shot Saturday afternoon ... Multiple people were shot Saturday afternoon at a bar in Red River as the town geared up for an annual motorcycle rally.
2
'Truth or Consequences' ranks as one of the best ...
ABQnews Seeker
It's the summer of 1970 and ... It's the summer of 1970 and Daniel Asa Rose and Tony Wilson, both 20 years old and best friends since sixth grade, are about ...
3
Wine and secrets get spilled in the comedy 'Drinking ...
ABQnews Seeker
"Drinking Habits" opens at Adobe Theater ... "Drinking Habits" opens at Adobe Theater on June 2, running on weekends through June 25.
4
Photographer, author Chris Rainier to bring 'Cultures on the ...
ABQnews Seeker
Photographer and author Chris Rainier presents ... Photographer and author Chris Rainier presents "Cultures on the Edge: A Journey into Indigenous Ways of Being" at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.
5
National Theatre Live production 'Best of Enemies' to be ...
ABQnews Seeker
"Best of Enemies" was the winner ... "Best of Enemies" was the winner of the 2022 Critics' Circle Award for Best New Play and nominated for the 2022 Olivier Award for ...
6
Mysterious garden holes are the traps of antlions
ABQnews Seeker
At this stage of life they ... At this stage of life they create those perfect round holes which are actually traps for unsuspecting ground crawling insects.
7
The Met Live comes to the Lensic with 'The ...
ABQnews Seeker
Opera fans can head to the ... Opera fans can head to the Lensic Performing Arts Center for "The Met Live in HD: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)" at 11 a.m. ...
8
Bond House Museum to showcase Santa Fe Opera props, ...
ABQnews Seeker
The exhibition represents a collaboration between ... The exhibition represents a collaboration between the opera and the San Gabriel Historical Society and the Española Valley Opera Guild.
9
'The Nature of Glass' explores the medium through a ...
ABQnews Seeker
"The Nature of Glass" focuses on ... "The Nature of Glass" focuses on 28 contemporary works by such household names as Judy Chicago, Georgia O'Keeffe and Preston Singletary.