A temporary hospital for COVID-19 infected patients at indoor sports arena Ahoy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Image: AFP/ANP/Pieter Stam de Jonge
A Dutch concert hall that was set to host this year鈥檚 Eurovision Song Contest will instead welcome patients suffering from coronavirus from Friday.
Where thousands of fans were supposed to cheer on contestants in the long-running competition next month, the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam is now filled with 88 hospital beds to ease the burden on hospitals.
A special hall has been set aside for patients suffering from COVID-19 who need treatment but do not need to be hospitalized.
鈥淪ome people are no longer able to survive at home and must be taken care of as ordered by their doctors. We鈥檒l soon be able to receive them here in Ahoy,鈥� said Saskia Baas, director of the Rotterdam region鈥檚 public health service (GGD).
People who 鈥渃an no longer be properly cared for in their own care centers or retirement homes鈥� could also be welcomed, she said during a press tour.
Officials decided to convert the Ahoy Arena last month after Eurovision was canceled for the first time in the event鈥檚 64-year history.
鈥淲e were in full preparation for the Eurovision song contest,鈥� said Arjen Littooij safety and security director for the Rotterdam region. 鈥淲e suddenly and quickly had to adapt to the crisis.鈥�
The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe yet to impose a total lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Some 27,419 infections have been reported with 2,945 deaths, according to the latest count released on Tuesday.聽RGA
RELATED STORIES:聽
Netherlands recalls defective masks imported from China