After just 7 ½ days of construction, a makeshift medical treatment site of Zhuhai People's (Renmin) Hospital in Old Xiangzhou came into operation on Feb 2 to receive, isolate, and observe anyone potentially infected with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The facility consists of two prefabricated buildings with 21 isolation wards, 32 beds, and five emergency rooms, as well as spaces for showers, storage, and dressing. All wards have ultraviolet disinfection devices.

Zhuhai People's Hospital's temporary treatment site of for novel coronavirus outbreak [Photo provided by Huafa Group]

Construction was handled by Huafa Group and commenced on Jan 26. The first pre-fabricated building was in place at 2 pm on Jan 28 after round-the-clock work by more than 300 crew, while the second construction was completed at 4 pm on Jan 29. The isolation wards were turned over to the hospital at 9 pm on Feb 2. Covering 270 sq m (323 sq yd), the facility has a floor area of 650 sq m (777 sq yd).

Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital in Wuhan of Hubei Province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak 1,200 km (746 miles) from Zhuhai, was also ready on Feb 2 after nine days of construction. It began receiving patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection on Feb 3.

Both facilities follow the model of Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, which was built in seven days in Beijing's northern suburbs in April 2003 to treat patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).