CoxHealth is on the verge of opening a third COVID-19 unit.
As of Thursday, there were still 180 people in Springfield hospitals being treated for the virus.
The health system’s chief hospital officer says in the spring, a 51-bed unit was opened, and another one with 26 beds opened in late summer.
Mercy Hospital is preparing to add an additional unit, if needed.
The chief administrative officer says sometimes there are several patients waiting in the emergency room while rooms are thoroughly cleaned after people with COVID-19 are discharged from the hospital.
