Coronavirus: Chicago Using Hotels To Preserve Space At Hospitals

CHICAGO — As the number of new coronavirus cases increases, Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration has partnered with downtown hotels to use vacant rooms to isolate people infected by the virus who can't be at home in an effort to free up hospital beds for the most critical patients.

By the end of the week, the city expects to have more than 1,000 downtown hotel rooms and for people who are "mildly ill" due to COVID-19, part of a $1 million effort to ease the strain on local hospitals and health care workers as medical facilities inch closer to capacity. The hotel rooms will be reserved for people who don't require hospital care but must be isolated after being exposed to or testing positive for the virus.

The city also has partnered with the YMCA to provide 400 beds for homeless residents during the statewide stay-at-home quarantine. The move allows existing shelters to practice social distancing that requires keeping beds at least six-feet apart. Another 500 beds are expected to be installed at YMCA facilities later this week.

"I applaud the commitment and dedication of our city's partner organizations as we
work together to meet this moment brought by COVID-19 crisis," Lightfoot said.

"By working in tandem with healthcare experts and local organizations to
increase capacity for those affected, we have been able to develop innovative
solutions to ensure every resident — regardless of status or where they live — are
able to obtain the care and refuge needed to prevent the spread of this disease and
keep every Chicagoan safe and secure."