INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric Holcomb announced sweeping measures to ensure that hospitals will be able to meet the need of anticipated increases in COVID-19 patients. He also requested a Declaration of Disaster in Indiana, which will free up federal funds to combat the crisis.
State health officials stated they are anticipating a surge in Indiana cases in mid-April to mid-May. They are making plans to construct temporary hospitals to help meet demand, and double the number of critical care beds and ventilators available to cope with the influx. Currently, the state has 1,940 intensive-care beds and about 1,177 ventilators.
Plans call for less critical patients to be moved to medical clinics and unopened floors of state hospitals in Indianapolis and Richmond. The state will work with the Indiana National Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to set up temporary field hospitals.
To help increase the number of medical professionals, the governor signed an executive order that waives licensing requirements for temporary medical facilities and allows retired medical professionals get short-term credentials. Over 5,000 have volunteered throughout the state so far.