WUHAN — The Wuhan-based Tongji Hospital affiliated to the Huazhong University of Science and Technology will provide 800 beds for severe cases of novel coronavirus infection as refitted isolation wards were completed on Feb 9 at the hospital's Guanggu subdivision.

Open wards in the hospital have been divided into clean, semi-contaminated and contaminated areas, with different access designed to effectively separate doctors and patients.

Doctors from clean areas have to put on masks, protective suits and other equipment before passing through five doors, with disinfection at every door, to the nurse station and contaminated area.

The isolation wards will start to receive patients on Feb 10.