The operator of Community Hospital had hoped to secure state approval to open before Christmas, but is still awaiting the final OK by inspectors as nearby facilities swell with patients due to COVID-19.
The East Long Beach facility’s operator, Molina, Wu, Network, says the inspection process is ongoing, spokesperson Brandon Dowling said.
“[Community Hospital] has not failed any inspection,” Dowling said, “and we continue to work with California Department of Public Health to open the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.”
The final inspection process began last week, with state surveyors providing the operator with a short “punchlist” of minor issues, all of which have since been addressed, Dowling said. Now, MWN is simply awaiting final approval, which may be taking longer due to the holiday season, Dowling said.
As other area hospitals fill up, with ICUs nearing capacity and morgues on the verge of overflowing, residents have scrutinized recent film activity at Community Hospital, a frequent occurrence since the facility was closed more than two years ago. However, the facility simply cannot open for patient care without state approval.
Hospitalizations at the city and county level continue to rise every day, with 400 and 6,155, respectively, reported Wednesday.
The hospital is expected to open with a small amount of ICU beds for non-coronavirus patients. While the beds would certainly help alleviate current patient surges, health officials are bracing for an even greater onslaught of cases and hospitalizations following Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The current surge is a direct result of Thanksgiving gatherings and travel, according to health officials. The number of people traveling in the days leading up to Christmas is up, according to data from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.
The city reported eight coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday and 14 Tuesday, the two deadliest days since the pandemic began. City officials also reported over 1,000 new cases.
At the county level, Wednesday was a record-breaking day for fatalities with 145. The county reported 16,525 new cases.
Editor’s note: John Molina of Molina, Wu Network is the founding partner of the parent company that owns the Long Beach Post.