Bellevue Hospital won't fully reopen until February

Bellevue Hospital Center will not fully reopen for months because of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, officials said Monday. While the City Council is expected to approve $500 million in capital funds to repair damages to public schools and hospitals on Tuesday, the amount of work needed at the hospital means it will open slowly, providing outpatient services starting Nov. 19. But full service, including emergency care and inpatient units, will not return until the first week in February, according to Hospital Corporation President Alan Aviles. He added that while damage was severe, no important patients information was lost.