Coronavirus: Temporary Hospital To Be Set Up In Shoreline

SHORELINE, WA — Officials have set up a field hospital on a soccer field in Shoreline to use for people exposed to the new coronavirus, according to a release from the City of Shoreline. The decision comes as the number of coronavirus cases in Washington passes 1,000.

King County is working with the City of Shoreline and the Shoreline School District to set up the temporary hospital at Shoreline B Soccer Field.

King County is setting up field hospitals in multiple locations for those who can't safely stay in their homes without risking spreading the coronavirus to family members, and for those who don't have homes. This field hospital will serve people from Shoreline and patients from the greater Puget Sound Region.

"These actions are designed to help curb the spread of the disease, support people who have nowhere else to go, and, most importantly, preserve our local hospital beds for the most acutely ill in our communities," the release says.

See the full news release on the field hospitals.

"We believe it is critical that Shoreline do its part to help address this global crisis and provide for the health needs of those in the Shoreline community and those in the broader Puget Sound Region," the release says.

The county is setting up facilities to hold 3,000 medical beds. The soccer field facility will hold up to 200 beds.

The city will grant the county a permit to operate the facility on the condition that security, waste disposal and access standards are met.

"This is a rapidly evolving situation that requires quick and decisive action. The County is moving to address the growing need for hospital beds in the region. The County is currently in the process of setting up the tents and other infrastructure in preparation. However, when occupancy will begin is still unclear," the release says.