(Yicai Global) Feb. 6 -- The first temporary hospital set up in Wuhan to treat patients with mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia opened up its 1,600 beds to patients at 10 p.m. last night.

The facility, in the Wuhan International Convention and Exhibition Center, offers relief to built-for-purpose hospitals so they can turn focus on those in more severe condition. Patients at the makeshift hospital can receive treatment while remaining away from the public to prevent further spread of the epidemic.

The hospital, one of 11 Hubei province is setting up in gymnasiums, exhibition centers and sports centers,  are similar to mobile field hospitals used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. They include movable units with medical and technical equipment to offer support during emergencies, and should add an extra 10,000 beds for patients in the region, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Wuhan added 1,766 new confirmed coronavirus cases yesterday, of 2,987 total in Hubei province, the provincial health commission said. The city had 10,117 cumulative confirmed cases at the end of yesterday, while the whole province had 19,665.

Staff admit patients into the hospital.

A worker guides a patient to the makeshift ward.

A patient setting up his bed.

Patients resting in bed.

A view of the beds from above.

Medical workers in protective gear.

Editor: Tang Shihua