Alternative Coronavirus Care Center To Handle Patient Overflow

NORWALK, CA — As Los Angeles hospitals are forced to make tough decisions about care amid record coronavirus hospitalizations, state officials announced plans to open care sites for patients who aren't well enough to go home but may not require hospital-level care.

The California Department of Social Services announced six Residential Alternate Care Sites, including one in Norwalk that has a capacity of 80 patients. The unusual move aims to provide relief to nurses and doctors exhausted by the onslaught of coronavirus cases overwhelming Los Angeles hospitals. The surge in hospitalizations and COVID-19 deaths is expected to continue into February.

Every coronavirus bed freed up, helps reduce nurse caseload and could potentially spare hospitals from having to ration care as resources are stretched thin. The facilities are licensed as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) or Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs). Officials said patients will receive supervision and assistance with activities such as bathing and feeding, and can receive care by licensed nurses.

"The residents of adult and senior care facilities and are among California's most vulnerable and are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19," CDSS Director Kim Johnson said Monday. "During this unprecedented surge, these new temporary sites will help free up our hospitals and nursing facilities to care for those with the most acute needs, while providing residents a place to receive needed care and treatment as they recover from COVID-19."

According to the state, there were 7,926 COVID-19 patients in L.A. County hospitals as of Monday, including 1,724 in intensive care. Some hospitals in Los Angeles this month reported being at or near 100 percent capacityincluding Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Encino Hospital Medical Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Kindred Hospital Paramount, Lakewood Regional Medical Center, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.