For More Information Contact:
Colleen Pillus, Communications Director (845) 486-2000
Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro today announced Dutchess County Government, in cooperation with Nuvance Health and MidHudson Regional Hospital, is working with Dutchess Community College as a location for additional care capacity as needed, to care for COVID-19 patients. Specifically, Dutchess Community College’s Conklin Hall has been identified as a recovery facility for additional care capacity to support expected overflow of local hospitals. Conklin Hall’s 176 rooms and 457 beds on 4 different floors will be outfitted for people who will be unable to care for themselves at home, but may not need full hospitalization. The recovery facility will be staffed by healthcare professionals, non-healthcare professionals, and volunteers. Falcon Hall Gymnasium is also available for additional beds as needed.
County Executive Molinaro said, “We have been in constant communication with our local hospitals and providers to ensure we are prepared for what comes next. Our dedicated team of emergency preparedness and public health professionals has been working around the clock and after a visit to Conklin Hall, we’re confident this will serve as an excellent recovery facility.”
Dr. Anil Vaidian, Commissioner of Behavioral & Community Health said, “The fact is, as testing increases, the number of identified positive cases of COVID-19 will likely increase exponentially. If we continue on that trajectory, we’re going to need additional facilities to be ready and available. I want to thank Dutchess Community College and their entire staff for being so flexible during this process, ensuring we can have this recovery facility ready as needed in the next few weeks.”
Dr. Pamela Edington, President of Dutchess Community College said, “We stand ready, willing, and able to help in whatever way possible during this public health crisis. Making Conklin Hall available for additional care capacity will ensure our community is prepared for the potential influx of hospitalizations. Dutchess Community College is delivering instruction remotely during this public health crisis and there will be no students living in the residence hall when this transition occurs. We at Dutchess Community College are proud of our partnerships with County Government and local hospitals and will continue to support them when called upon.”
Dutchess County’s Department of Behavioral & Community Health continues to work with all providers and partners to establish plans for the Dutchess Community College’s additional care capacity facility including determining equipment, supply and exact staffing needs. Conklin Hall will primarily service patients with low severity cases of COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 cases. This will free up eventually-needed space in Northern Dutchess Hospital, MidHudson Regional Hospital, and Vassar Brothers Medical Center, to residents throughout the entire county. This is being done in accordance with Governor Cuomo’s order that hospital capacity increase by 50% now, and plan for 100%.
The Dutchess Community College facilities will be the initial location for additional care capacity. Other sites, including Vassar College and Marist College, have been identified for additional care capacity as needed.
County Executive Molinaro continued, “As we continue to come together and pool our resources to confront this pandemic, we are making sure no source of assistance goes untapped. I thank Dr. Pamela Edington for her willingness to work with us, her staff’s professionalism, and being so accommodating to our community to help fight COVID-19. And while our plans for additional care capacity facilities begin with Dutchess Community College, they certainly don’t end there. We are grateful to Marist College President Dennis Murray and Vassar College President Elizabeth Bradley and so many others in our community for their help in this endeavor, as well.”
Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information and guidance on its website, www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
