x
Breaking News
More () »

Harris County winding down $17 million medical shelter at NRG

County Judge Lina Hidalgo stood by her decision to build the shelter after seeing what happened in other large cities, including New York.

HOUSTON — Editor's note: The attached video originally aired on April 11.


Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced they are winding down the medical shelter set up in the parking lot of NRG.

The county spent $17 million to build the shelter in case extra hospital beds were needed during the pandemic. Hidalgo said FEMA will reimburse 75% of that cost.

The county judge stood by her decision to set up the shelter after seeing what happened in other large cities, including New York, where hospitals were full of COVID-19 patients. 

"It was our responsibility to put our community in the best position to save lives," Hidalgo said.

RELATED: Risk a $1,000 fine if you don't cover your face in public in Houston, Harris County

RELATED: Promising news: Houston Methodist's COVID-19 cases down 25% from peak

When she initially announced plans for the 250-bed shelter, she said it would only be used "as a last resort."

The shelter could have handled 250 patients and would have utilized equipment, doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical professionals from all over the region, particularly areas that are experiencing lower rates of coronavirus.

"We were caught by surprise in this country, but we will not be caught by surprise in this community. We don’t want to be caught flat-footed," Hidalgo said after touring the facility on April 11. 

The County Commissioners Court approved $60 million for the shelter, but most of that money wasn't needed. 

RELATED: Sugar Land respiratory therapist describes being on the front lines of COVID-19 pandemic in New York

RELATED: 'It's a silent and evil disease' | COVID-19 rips through family, claiming life of patriarch and sickening 3 others

RELATED: High school principal who nearly lost his life to COVID-19 shares his journey

Before You Leave, Check This Out