WUHAN — Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, has put 12 temporary hospitals into operation, the city's epidemic prevention and control headquarters said on Feb 19. 

The temporary hospitals were converted from existing venues, including gymnasiums and exhibition centers in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province.

These temporary hospitals have effectively helped improve the city's treatment capabilities, according to sources with the headquarters.

Apart from the 12 temporary hospitals, Wuhan has also requisitioned the gymnasiums and dormitories of some local universities to transform into more temporary hospitals.

The city has also planned to convert a batch of vacant factory buildings, logistics warehouses, and passenger station halls into some new temporary hospitals, bringing the total number of beds in temporary hospitals to 20,461.