Los Angeles, California – March 23, 2020 – The State of California has entered into an agreement with Verity Health Systems to manage the recently closed St. Vincent Medical Center, located at 2131 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles, to provide assistance and care to patients afflicted with the COVID-19 virus. Bringing St. Vincent’s back online ensures 381 beds for patients and an added resource for residents of Los Angeles in dealing with the pandemic.
“The residents of the 59th Assembly District will have a recognized care and resource facility open and available to those who require treatment and quarantine upon diagnosis,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer who represents the communities of South Los Angeles including Huntington Park and Walnut Park in the 59th District.
Quick action by the state legislature to provide the Governor with funding and authority to acquire and lease hotels, motels and repurpose shuttered hospitals has been a vital component in the State’s overall plans to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Additionally, the State has requested from the federal government 20 million N95 masks, nearly a million gloves and 2 million swabs.
“As Chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, I am working in partnership with Governor Newsom to protect the health and well-being of residents of my district and that of all Californians. The re-opening of St. Vincent Medical Center is a part of our efforts to make available immediately medical beds and services ready to assess and treat patients, thus easing pressure on other local facilities that may see an influx of cases in the weeks to come,” added Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer.
The State will spend $30 million to lease St. Vincent Medical Center, along with another hospital in Northern California, and make both fully operational. An additional $8.6 million will be used to purchase ventilators, IV fusion pumps and other equipment and $2 million on patient transportation.
CONTACT
Richard Garcia
richard.garcia@asm.ca.gov
(323) 201-1261