New Mexico opens alternate care facility for COVID patients

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico hospitals face a capacity crunch due the coronavirus outbreak so the state on Friday opened an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients in a renovated former hospital in Albuquerque. The state Department of Health said the Gibson Medical Center will serve adults who don't require acute care. The facility won't have an emergency hospital, intensive care unit or surgical suite. It initially will provide 25 beds for patients needing nursing care and an additional 25 beds for isolation or quarantine. Capacity can be expanded to up to 180 beds. The department said the facility will alleviate some of what it called "the immense pressure" now taxing hospitals in the state.