Evers Says Application Submitted To Develop ‘Alternative Care Facility’ At Alliant Energy Center In Madison

Gov. Tony Evers said Sunday that an application has been submitted to begin developing an “alternative care facility” at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison in the event of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The governor announced that an application was submitted to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prepare for such a facility. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has paired with state officials to assist with the creation of such facilities as government officials work to handle the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

The first such facility is being built on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee.

“This second alternative care facility will be an essential backup facility to ensure our healthcare system in the south central region is not overwhelmed. FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers have been tremendous planning partners for our state and we are thankful for their quick responsiveness,” Evers said in the statement.

The governor said in the news release that he hoped this second facility wouldn’t be needed.

“But we must prepare for it now so we are ready,” he said in the release.

The number of people testing positive for the coronavirus in Wisconsin has risen by 128. State health officials say Sunday that the total number of cases in the state is now 3,341.

The state also reported seven more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 144.

Health officials said 974 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in Wisconsin have been hospitalized.