Wuhan expects to close all makeshift hospitals around March 10

Makeshift hospitals built to treat novel coronavirus infected patients with mild symptoms in Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, are expected to wrap up operation around March 10, China Central Television reported on Sunday.

Since Feb 5, 14 makeshift hospitals in the city have been operating, with the longest running for 33 days, and treating more than 12,000 cases, it said.

As of Sunday afternoon, 11 of the 14 hospitals have suspended operation, with their patients either discharged or transferred to designated hospitals, it said.

For example, the makeshift hospital established at Wuhan Sports Center with 1,000 beds ceased operating on Sunday. The hospital, which opened on Feb 12, treated 1,056 patients.

There are about 100 patients still being treated in the remaining three makeshift hospitals.

Zhai Xiaohui, deputy director of the hospital management center with the National Health Commission, said: "Nearly 10,000 beds have been emptied out at the designated hospitals. From now on confirmed cases will be sent to the designated hospitals first. If they cannot handle, the makeshift hospitals will reopen."