The Chinese city of Wuhan is scrambling to complete construction on two hospitals that will treat coronavirus victims, according to state media. The outbreak has killed 213 people and infected nearly 10,000.
The virus is believed to have originated in Wuhan, a city of 11 million, and most of China’s cases have been reported there. Construction began last week on the two temporary hospitals, which are prefabricated buildings. Once finished, they will provide 2,600 beds.
The construction of the new facilities echoes the rapid completion of Beijing’s Xiaotangshan hospital in 2003. Built in a week, Xiaotangshan treated patients affected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The hospitals are expected to open next week. Here’s how workers are trying to make it happen:
Trucks line up for the construction site of a field hospital in Wuhan
Trucks line up for the construction site of a field hospital in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by Feb. 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city.
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An engineering contractor walks in front of 35 excavators
An engineering contractor walks in front of construction machinery at a field hospital on January 26, 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Wuhan Leishenshan hospital will be completed on February 5, with a capacity of 1300 beds. This is the second temporary hospital after Lieshen Shan hospital.
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Workers driving bulldozers smooth out the ground for construction
Workers driving bulldozer at the construction site of a field hospital on January 26, 2020 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.
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Aerial view of excavators working at the site
This aerial photo on January 24, 2020 shows excavators at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province.
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, (center) wearing a green mask, talks with staff members as he visits the site
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wearing a mask talks with staff members as he visits the construction site where the new hospital is being built to treat patients of a new coronavirus, following the outbreak, on the outskirts of Wuhan, China January 27, 2020.
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A massive undertaking as workers and machinery work to complete the hospitals in weeks
Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on January 27, 2020.
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Workers unload materials
Workers unload materials from a truck at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on January 27, 2020.
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Rolling out damp-proof lining
Construction workers roll out damp proof lining as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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An aerial photo shows excavators and trucks around the construction site as the foundation takes shape
This aerial photo shows excavators and trucks at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on January 27, 2020.
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Workers carrying rebar
Workers lay rebar for the foundations for the new hospital
Construction workers as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Concrete is poured onto the foundation
Hundreds of construction workers and heavy machinery build new hospitals to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Working around the clock as the coronavirus spreads
Workers labor at the construction site of the 1,000-bed Huoshenshan temperary hospital for 2019-nCoV patients in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020.
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A worker smooths out freshly poured concrete
A construction worker is pictured amidst heavy machinery as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Workers carrying construction panels at Huoshenshan hospital
Workers carrying construction material at Huoshenshan hospital as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Workers guide a crane to construct the hospital frame
Construction workers guide a crane as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Hundreds of workers and heavy machinery erect the frame for the hospitals
Hundreds of construction workers and heavy machinery build new hospitals to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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Modular pieces are maneuvered into place
Work continues on Wuhan Huoshenshan hospital on January 30, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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The second story nears completion
Work continues on Wuhan Huoshenshan hospital on January 30, 2020 in Wuhan, China.
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