Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital will be adding a temporary modular structure called the Pandemic Response Unit in anticipation of a projected surge in COVID-19 cases within Halton Region.

The 8,250-square-foot structure, connected to the South tower, will provide 93 additional beds, specifically for COVID-19 positive patients requiring hospitalization.

Ian Preyra, chief of staff for Joseph Brant Hospital, said the project is part of their ongoing pandemic response.

“The construction of the Pandemic Response Unit will allow the hospital to preserve our critical care and high acuity patient beds for our sickest patients,” said Preyra. “Physicians from the Burlington community are volunteering to provide patient care in the Pandemic Response Unit, treating COVID-19 positive patients with acute care needs who may require oxygen therapy and ongoing monitoring.”

The modular structure, built by a company called Sprung Structures, arrived from Calgary on Tuesday and will take about a week to construct. The company specializes in high performance modular structures that can be built quickly. The company was previously responsible for constructing disaster relief structures.

The Pandemic Response Unit is a collaboration between Joseph Brant, local health-care providers, the City of Burlington and the Region of Halton.

Eric Vandewall, president and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital, said the unit is about saving lives.

“The Pandemic Response Unit is being built as a critical part of our pandemic response plan to meet the heightened care needs of our community and, ultimately, save lives. We are doing everything we can to care for the people of Burlington to prepare for these unprecedented times,” said Vandewall.

As of Tuesday, there were 59 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Halton Region.

RC Roland Cilliers is a general assignment reporter for InsideHalton.com and its sister papers. Reach him via email: rcilliers@metroland.com

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