Wuhan virus hospital opens

The first batch of coronavirus patients were admitted to Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan yesterday morning as the number of confirmed cases in the city hit 6,384.

Around 50 patients arrived at the hospital at 9.26 am after being transferred by the Wuhan emergency center from three other hospitals in the city.

Each ambulance moved five patients, and the cabins were sealed from the drivers.

Although the hospital was made in prefabricated sections and container-like units, its wards are designed according to the standards of a hospital of contagious disease, according to state media.

The wards have front and back doors, and the hallway at the front door is only for use by medical staff rather than patients.

Each ward has a "delivery window" to pass pills and food to patients.

The 34,000-square-meter hospital with 1,000 beds opened on Monday after 10 days of construction.

It is staffed by 1,400 armed forces personnel, including 950 people from hospitals affiliated with the People's Liberation Army's Joint Logistics Support Force and 450 from medical universities run by the PLA's army, navy and air force services.

China last night confirmed 3,286 new cases and 65 more fatalities, taking the total confirmed cases to 20,522 and death toll of 426.

Among them, 2,345 new cases and 64 fatalities are in Hubei.

The number of confirmed case in Guangdong hit 818, with 271 of them in Shenzhen.

Mainland health authorities said the death rate of the disease among confirmed patients was 2.1 percent nationwide. Around 97 percent of those who died are in Hubei province, where the death rate was 3.1 percent.

Two thirds of those who died were males and most were elderly.

Meanwhile, Yang Fude of the Beijing Huilongguan Hospital said: "If your emotions have been particularly suppressed, you can look for an isolated spot and have a good cry for a few minutes."

"After crying, you will feel better An overcast sky will only brighten up after a heavy downpour," he said when asked for advice for front-line workers battling the virus.

"If that doesn't work, buy a punching bag for the office - or try singing," Yang said.

With public attractions closed, events canceled and citizens urged to stay home to avoid infection over the extended Spring Festival break, their psychological health is coming under the spotlight.

charlotte.luo@singtaonewscorp.com