McHenry County adds hospital bed capacity in COVID-19 preparations

McHenry County entities have been working together to prepare and increase hospital capacity if more beds are needed as the COVID-19 pandemic expands in the area.

As of Friday afternoon, 46 positive cases and one death from the disease have been recorded in the county, according to the McHenry County Department of Health.

Hospitals are not at capacity, but if more capacity is needed, a multipoint plan is being put into place, McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks said.

Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital potentially could add 40 beds to treat patients without COVID-19, while Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center in Harvard could move up from its 13 beds to a capacity of 20.

Back when it was Centegra Health, in-patient care was stopped in Woodstock in 2017.

“That could help if they get inundated in Huntley and McHenry,” Franks said. “I would rather be more prepared than less.”

The county has been working with local providers to increase capacity and also plans to reach out to local hotels in case there is more need for increased capacity for patients in isolation.

The county also is working with local manufacturers who could shift to produce personal protective equipment for those in need.

“Don’t panic, but we’re going to be prepared for this,” Franks said. “Hopefully, we are overprepared. I think we are in much better shape than we were a week ago. I think we have a really good plan.”

The county also is working on a plan to use disaster funds to provide food and necessities to local homeless and senior shut-ins, hoping to work with local restaurants to provide food.

“I want to encourage people to go out and get food from local restaurants,” Franks said. “We need them.”

When asked whether the former Motorola complex in Harvard could be a potential spot for hospital beds, Franks said that it isn’t based on current conditions, with water damage and mold in the building, along with its currently private ownership.