Mexico set up a hospital for patients with moderate symptoms of coronavirus at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Formula 1 races and various events are usually held, authorities reported on Sunday.
“It is being enabled (the autodrome) to be able to have an expansion hospital, that is, a hospital that allows us to have more beds especially for patients with mild symptoms, but who require hospitalization,” Zoé Robledo, director of IMSS, one of the country’s leading health institutions, said in a social media video.
“It’s an effort that’s been made over several weeks, let’s see how they’re going and especially because the city requires major growth right now,” he added.
Robledo indicated that 8 modules for 192 beds, more than 26 intensive care, were installed.
We oversee the construction of what will be the Expansion Hospital at the Hermanos Rdz Autodrome. 8 hospitalization modules were installed for 192 beds, plus 26 intensive care beds.
Dr. Olvera, @Tu_IMSS Medical Infrastructure holder tells us how we’re doing. pic.twitter.com/Zpg4OPGnc3
— Zoé Robledo (@zoerobledo) May 3, 2020
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, located in a sports complex in the east of Mexico City, is the host of the Mexican Grand Prix of Formula 1. The venue also hosts various events that attract crowds such as concerts and other car competitions.
In the past few days, the private initiative enabled a similar hospital at the Citibanamex Center, a convention center that currently serves 24 patients with moderate symptoms who were sent from other hospitals.
The Mexican government estimates that the peak of the pandemic will reach on May 6, with some hospitals in the Valley of Mexico already at the limit of its ability to treat patients with coronavirus.
On Saturday, Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum said there is a 60% hospital occupation for coronavirus cases in the capital.
Mexico decreed at the end of March a national health emergency to halt the expansion of COVID-19, suspending classes and all non-essential economic activities and also suggesting social isolation, measures that will be in place until 30 May.
So far Federal Health records 22,088 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 2,061 deaths.
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