Gov. Charlie Baker said there are plans to convert the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center into the second coronavirus field hospital in Massachusetts.Baker made the announcement Wednesday in Worcester after touring the DCU Center, which is already being converted into a COVID-19 field medical center.The governor said he is also planning to put up field hospitals in different parts of the state, depending on the level of care needed during the anticipated surge in coronavirus cases.“There are going to be, ultimately, strategies for the Cape, South Coast, Western Mass., Merrimack Valley and for Boston," Baker said. "Each strategy is going to be based on the capacity that exists in each of those places.”Baker said he is developing plans to convert dormitories and hotels across the state to house health care workers. He also expects to use them for people who are in self-quarantine.“We are basically in daily conversations through the (state's COVID-19) command center and with our colleagues in the hospital community to determine where else we may need capacity," he said. “Not just field hospital capacity, but also additional skilled nursing capacity.”The BCEC is located in Boston's Seaport District and hosts a number of events, including the annual PAX East convention, the largest gaming convention in North America.PHNjcmlwdCBpZD0iaW5mb2dyYW1fMF85MTUyMTg3My03NmRhLTQ0ZmUtOTA0Ny1mMTllZWFlZGFjNmQiIHRpdGxlPSJDb3JvbmF2aXJ1cyBpbiBNYXNzYWNodXNldHRzIiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZS5pbmZvZ3JhbS5jb20vanMvZGlzdC9lbWJlZC5qcz9yeXoiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+Cg==

Gov. Charlie Baker said there are plans to convert the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center into the second coronavirus field hospital in Massachusetts.

Baker made the announcement Wednesday in Worcester after touring the DCU Center, which is already being converted into a COVID-19 field medical center.


The governor said he is also planning to put up field hospitals in different parts of the state, depending on the level of care needed during the anticipated surge in coronavirus cases.



“There are going to be, ultimately, strategies for the Cape, South Coast, Western Mass., Merrimack Valley and for Boston," Baker said. "Each strategy is going to be based on the capacity that exists in each of those places.”

Baker said he is developing plans to convert dormitories and hotels across the state to house health care workers. He also expects to use them for people who are in self-quarantine.

“We are basically in daily conversations through the (state's COVID-19) command center and with our colleagues in the hospital community to determine where else we may need capacity," he said. “Not just field hospital capacity, but also additional skilled nursing capacity.”

The BCEC is located in Boston's Seaport District and hosts a number of events, including the annual PAX East convention, the largest gaming convention in North America.