Over 4,000 hospital beds ready for COVID-19 patients in Beijing

Beijing has completed construction of makeshift hospitals, also called fangcang, which can provide 4,000 beds for COVID-19 patients, a senior official said on Saturday.

"Meanwhile, the city is planning to build more large-scale makeshift hospitals and the authority is now looking for suitable locations with enough space," said Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, at a news conference.

Some districts in Beijing have also started work on location hunting for new makeshift hospitals or choosing existing buildings that are fit to work as fangcang.

Li said the preparation is aimed at providing space for patients with light and zero symptoms, as that can swiftly cut virus transmission and reduce impact on medical resources of other hospitals during the epidemic.

"There is no need for panic. Beijing doesn’t have that many cases at present," he added.