Army Corps: Virus decides where the needs are

The Army Corps of Engineers says it may be close to ending builds in various cities around the country as the coronavirus pandemic curve heads towards a plateau.

"We're beginning to run out of time," said Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite currently overseeing build out of extra patient facilities in Florida.

"I think that we will probably be done starting to build probably in a week. Now, that depends on what the curve is."

Semonite, who runs the corps, said his engineers have learned a lot setting up similar operations in New York City, Detroit and Chicago.

The current build at the Miami Beach convention center is being divided into 100-square-foot (9-square-meter) rooms, with the ICU rooms covered in clear plastic so there is negative pressure to prevent the virus's spread.

Florida is hiring doctors, nurses and other support staff to run the hospital. They will be supplemented by National Guard medical personnel.

Semonite said the Miami Beach facility is one of 17 being built nationwide for a total of 15,000 beds.

He said in addition to patient rooms, each facility must have nurses stations, showers, intake and checkout areas, break rooms for the workers, places to store protective gear, and other requirements.

"This virus gets to vote," said Semonite.

"This virus is deciding where it's going faster than normal, where it's leveling the curve. And so the actual build out schedule, we just going to see how this thing actually has to play out."

For most, the virus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and death.