Berlin to build 1,000-bed coronavirus hospital 1 hour ago
The German capital has approved the plans ahead of an expected spike in COVID-19 infections. The armed forces are to be drafted in to help create the facility, which will treat many of the most serious cases.
The Berlin government said on Tuesday it would create a new hospital to cope with a likely huge increase in coronavirus cases. The facility, which will house up to 1,000 patients, will be set up in the Berlin Messe trade fair exhibition grounds in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district of the German capital.
The hospital will be built with the help of the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr. No further details on the exact location or the deadline for completion were given. The project was approved by the Senate, the executive body for the city and state of Berlin, who said the facility should only be used if other medical facilities are overrun. The new hospital is expected to treat both relatively minor coronavirus cases as well as emergency respiratory patients.
Berlin prepares for bottlenecks
"This measure complements the well-positioned Berlin hospital system to deal with possible bottlenecks," said Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci following the approval.
She added that other hospitals in Berlin would expand their services to treat those coronavirus patients requiring ventilation in intensive care. Kalayci added that hospitals in the city would now begin postponing other scheduled surgeries to prepare to treat more patients struck down with COVID-19.
