In a joint effort, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will cooperate to construct an Alternate Care Facility (ACF) for COVID-19 patients at the National Guard Research Training Institute on St. Croix beginning April 18.
The alternate care facility will be constructed in a current barracks facility that will be converted into a 46-bed treatment area for victims of the novel corona virus by Conti Federal Inc., of Edison, N.J. The contract calls for completion by May 4. The contract was awarded April 17.
“We have a team of professionals from the Corps of Engineers and the Virgin Islands dedicated to converting these barracks into a treatment facility as quickly as possible in order to meet needs of the peak demand,” Col. Daniel H. Hibner, commander of the Savannah District, said. “Public safety is our top priority and we look forward to working alongside the territorial government to bring this resource to the people here for their care.”
The facility is designated for COVID-19 patients only. The construction is a joint financial responsibility of the U.S. and territorial governments with the national government covering 75 percent of the cost.
The Corps of Engineers’ conversion of this facility is part of the national effort, led by FEMA, to combat the pandemic.
