The City of Laval’s Place Bell multipurpose arena and entertainment venue is being called into service to take in an overflow of COVID-19-infected patients who cannot be accommodated at the region’s Cité de la Santé hospital, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de Laval has confirmed.
At least one of Place Bell’s smaller community ice rinks will be set up with beds and other equipment to take in not only patients from Cité de la Santé, but also from seniors’ residences in Laval where there are outbreaks of COVID-19, the Montreal daily Journal de Montréal had said earlier.
The action is being taken as the number of COVID-19 infections across the province shows few signs of slowing, while the government of Premier François Legault continues efforts towards reopening the economy after more than a month of strict measures to keep the coronavirus infection from spreading.
The CISSS de Laval confirmed late on Tuesday May 5 that it reached an agreement with the Cité de la culture et du sport de Laval (the non-profit organization with the mandate to oversee Place Bell) to take in COVID-19 patients who are in the process of recovery. Although no date has been set for the opening, the CISSS said it would take place “gradually” and under the close supervision of medical authorities.
According to the CIUSSS, the “non tradional” treatment site will be able to accommodate up to 50 COVID-19 patients, all of whom will have private spaces that include a bed, comfortable seating, a table and some other furnishings.
Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Laval News, marty@newsfirst.ca
