The IFEMA events venue in Madrid has welcomed the first COVID-19 patients to be admitted to the converted complex now serving as a makeshift hospital.
According to the Government of the Community of Madrid, 106 infected patients were admitted to the IFEMA complex in the central Spanish capital Madrid on 22nd March.
The events venue, which normally stages concerts and fairs, including the FITUR international tourism fair, has been converted into an emergency hospital with 1,300 standard beds, according to reports.
Video Credit: Newsflash/@EmergenciasMad
The first 106 patients have reportedly been admitted to Hall 5 in the IFEMA complex and the local authorities are expecting many more in the coming days.
So far, the other beds have been set up in Halls 7 and 9 which cover an area of 35,000 square metres.
The makeshift facility also has 96 ICU beds which are separated three metres apart.
The area can cater for up to 2,000 beds if deemed necessary.
Carmen Camacho, spokeswoman for SAMUR, the specialised emergency system in Madrid, told local media: “This hospital has been created in a short period of time to help the health service in the capital Madrid.”
The Spanish Army’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) reportedly constructed the makeshift hospital facilities last week.
The area includes a nursing zone, administrative areas, resting spaces and waste containers.
As of 23rd March, Spain has reported 33,089 cases of COVID-19 and 2,128 related deaths.
Footage of the hospital set up in the municipal venue Ifema 
Footage of the hospital set up in the municipal venue Ifema
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Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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