LaPorte Hospital Suspends Construction
(photo courtesy of Stan Maddux
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowConstruction on the new $125 million LaPorte Hospital has been suspended. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the project was shut down this week after 10 workers tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Joe Forsthoffer, director of corporate communications for Alabama-based contractor Robins & Morton, positive tests among four workers forced the project to stall. Shortly thereafter, an additional six employees showed symptoms and were later diagnosed with the virus.
The Times reports work is scheduled to resume on May 26 but could be pushed back depending on how the situation unfolds. The remaining 180 or so workers at the site are being encouraged to get screened for COVID-19 or to self-quarantine for 14 days.
“We have offered to screen and test anyone who has been working on the construction project and that process is underway,” hospital officials said.
Forsthoffer says the hospital site will be professionally disinfected to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as well as the Occupational Health & Safety Administration.
The publication reports workers will not be allowed to return unless they’ve tested negative or been given medical clearance.
Work on the hospital started in September 2018 and is scheduled for completion later this year.