COVID-19 Alternate Care Sites (ACSs): Role and Activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [May 15, 2020]

From the Document:The U S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provides engineering services and capabilities in support of national interests As part of its overall mission, USACE prepares for and responds to national emergencies in support of the Department of Defense and other federal agencies and efforts In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had assigned USACE missions totaling $1 8 billion as of mid-May 2020, which have led to USACE [1] assessing over 1,000 sites for potential use as 'alternate care sites' (ACSs, also called 'alternate care facilities') that can function as temporary health care facilities;[2] developing standardized designs for ACSs (with other federal agencies' input);and [3] contracting to convert structures into ACSs Congressional oversight of the COVID-19 response may include ACSs Some USACE-converted ACSs reportedly are expected to close shortly after their conversions or are to be put on standby (referred to as warm sites) Others have served fewer patients than the facilities' capacity, but there is some reporting that health care professionals have found that ACSs provided relief for hospitals and their staff COVID-19 (Disease);United States Army Corps of Engineers;Health facilities;Crisis management