A "pop-up" hospital in Houston that originally cost millions may be taken down as early as next week over lack of use. The hospital was originally built to provide overflow if local hospitals were overwhelmed by the coronavirus.

"We don't want to be caught flat-footed," Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said before construction began a little more than two weeks ago. "We are working to stay ahead of this."

Hospitals in the area have not reached capacity and the 250-bed hospital remains unused.

The federal government has agreed to pay 75% of the $17 million price tag, leaving around $4.25 million for local taxpayers. The project was originally slated to cost $60 million.

"It was a good insurance policy but clearly, we don't need it," said a spokesperson for Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle, who plans to ask the county to cancel the hospital's contract next week.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis disagreed.