Atrium prepares for increase in COVID-19 deaths. That could include makeshift morgues
Atrium Health is preparing for a potentially large number of deaths from COVID-19 in the near future, the hospital system confirmed Thursday — and that could include using mobile refrigeration units as backup morgues if necessary.
A person who said she works as a hospital nurse posted pictures on her Facebook page this week showing what she called “mobile morgues” — several large refrigeration units — outside Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord.
The hospital system already is preparing for a surge in patients by decreasing non-essential visits to free up bed space, Atrium said in a statement.
“We are also preparing for the possibility there may be a higher number of patients who succumb to COVID-19,” Atrium said in a statement Thursday in regards to questions on the fridge units. “The extent of how fast COVID-19 will spread, the impact it has, and our ability to serve the community during this state of emergency is directly dependent on how well our community observes the physical distancing and stay-at-home orders in place today.”
Atrium would not give further details on the refrigeration units.
Atrium CEO Gene Woods said Thursday the hospital system could see a surge in patients in mid-April to mid-May.
Atrium and Novant Health called for the county to open a field hospital at UNC Charlotte’s campus in a letter Thursday. The two hospital systems said COVID-19 patients could outnumber their current bed space by 3,000.
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