Plans to transform part of Van Cortlandt Park into a field hospital for coronavirus patients have been put on hold.

Elected officials say the delay is because the number of patients being hospitalized for COVID-19 in New York City is on the decline.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz says it was supposed to take about three weeks to get the field up and running.

Before it ever did, the state lawmaker says he received a call from the contractors working alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saying work had stopped.

"They were preparing for the worst case scenario, which was the number of cases projected by the CDC, but it turned out that the numbers were less so they stopped the work. And it's my understanding that in fact the hospital won't be happening there because the numbers just don't justify it at this point and this is very good news," said Dinowitz.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says 463 patients were admitted April 10 to city hospitals for suspected cases of COVID-19. Saturday had 383 new patients, and Sunday had 326.

The VCP Alliance tweeted, "VCPA confirms that there will not be a Field Hospital in Van Cortlandt Park. The southern end of the Parade Ground is open! Please continue to practice social distancing. NYC Parks is working to ensure that the area will be good as new ASAP."

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