WUHAN — Nine temporary hospitals with more than 6,960 beds have opened in the epidemic-stricken Hubei province in Central China, a senior official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Feb 15.

A total of 5,606 patients infected with the novel coronavirus are receiving treatment in these hospitals currently, Wang Hesheng, deputy head of the NHC and a member of the standing committee of the Hubei provincial Party committee, said at a news conference in Wuhan.

The temporary hospitals were converted from existing venues, including gymnasiums and exhibition centers.

"Cross-infection won't happen in the temporary hospitals because only patients with mild symptoms are received there," said Jiao Yahui, an official with the NHC.

Jiao said the temporary hospitals have played a key role in containing the epidemic as they can save more hospital beds for severe and critically ill patients.

Patients have received good treatment at temporary hospitals and several batches of them have been discharged so far, she added.

"We will continue to transform some hospital wards and venues into designated hospitals and temporary hospitals, to make sure the confirmed patients and suspected patients can receive centralized treatment and no patients are left unattended," said Wang.