Patients diagnosed with coronavirus who require hospitalisation are set to be treated at Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix venue.
Countries around the world are trying to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which has caused sporting events to be placed on an indefinite hold.
Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix takes place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the Iztacalco district of capital Mexico City.
On Sunday it was confirmed that an expansion hospital will be located at the venue, with capacity for 192 beds, and 26 intensive care beds.
Zoé Robledo, Director of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, visited the circuit, inspecting the area – usually reserved for the Paddock Club – where the repurposing of the facility is underway.
“In all these [areas] that are generally where the public is attending the races, it is where eight modules have been installed for hospitalisation,” said Robledo.
“Each of these modules has 24 beds and that is where the staff will be attending.”
Mexican Grand Prix promoter Grupo CIE has already been involved in the conversion of the Centro Citibanamex convention centre into a temporary medical facility.
Over 2,000 people have died with coronavirus in the country, with capital Mexico City the worst-hit area.
Formula 1’s Mexican Grand Prix, which has been on the calendar in its current guise since 2015, is scheduled to take place on November 1.
