JFK Hospital sees increased visits after Coachella, prepares for Weekend 2
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival brings nearly 125,000 people to the Empire Polo Club per day, and with two weekends of festival fun, there's a potential for increased medical emergency visits.
JFK Memorial Hospital saw nearly double the number of people in need of care with 100 people compared to 54 patients in 2024.
And ER Attending Physician Chad Becker said he's seen concerning cases so far from weekend one.
"We're seeing a lot of people that lose their friends that are overheating in with temperatures 105 [and] 106 from the festival," Becker said.
With the hospital located less than three miles from the Empire Polo Grounds, JFK is the closest trauma center to the festival and plays a crucial role in aiding in the health and well-being of festival goers and Indio residents.
Becker said no matter how many people show up to the emergency department, they will be prepared to help.
"We're very aware of what's going on in our Valley, so we're always trying to be prepared for anything that happens at those events," Becker said.
The care festival goers need ranges, but doctors said they typically treat people for dehydration and substance use. While both are major concerns for the festival, doctors especially warn attendees to not do drugs, but if they do, be aware of the risks.
"I've seen a lot of people who thought that they've used one substance, and they're testing positive for other substances," Becker said. "So there's a lot. You just don't know what you're going to get."
We spoke with festival goers shopping outside the grounds for supplies to see if they've prepared safety items. Many reported buying water and bringing bandaid, but some attendees are preparing for everyones safety.
"We have a first aid kit with us, and then we also have Narcan just to have for our group as well as any other groups because you never know what can happen," Jane Vasquez said. "And then always just reminding each other just take care of one another."
Even with the heightened hospital patients, JKF says residents should not delay seeking medical care to avoid crowds and say they are able to care for festival goers and patients alike.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more from JFK Memorial Hospital on what they expect in Weekend 2 and how attendee's are preparing.