Coronavirus: China races to build massive quarantine camp in Hebei to curb surging infections 

Workers in China‘s new coronavirus ground zero are rushing to build a huge quarantine centre containing 3,000 isolation units to tackle a surge of COVID-19 infections.

More than 600 workers and over 100 machines are working 24 hours non-stop in sub-zero temperatures, aiming to complete the majority of the isolation camp within three days, authorities have announced.

The emergency development covers 82 acres and is being erected in northern China’s Hebei Province, which has become the focal point of the country’s most serious latest outbreak.

When China was at the height of its initial coronavirus outbreak early last year, the country built several dedicated coronavirus hospitals as well as makeshift isolation facilities in then-epicentre Wuhan at an impressive speed.

More than 600 workers and over one hundred machines are working 24 hours non-stop in the sub-zero temperatures, aiming to complete the construction of an 82-acre isolation centre with 3,000 housing units by the end of this week

The development of a new COVID centre comes as China is battling to contain a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, while World Health Organization experts have arrived in Wuhan today to investigate the origins of the pandemic

The development of a new COVID centre comes as China is battling to contain a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, while World Health Organization experts in Wuhan today to investigate the origins of the pandemic

Construction of the latest makeshift quarantine camp began on Wednesday in the county of Zhengding on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang following an urgent government order. 

At least 20,000 local residents have had to abandon their homes and move into government-appointed isolation facilities since clusters of cases started to emerge in Shijiazhuang’s Gaocheng District in the beginning of January.

It remains unclear exactly how many people will end up being confined in the Zhengding camp, but workers are expected to build 3,000 suites using prefabricated materials to house suspected coronavirus patients. 

The project, led by China Railway Construction Cooperation, is expected to cover 82 acres of land and completed within three days, according to a government notice released today. Pictured, builders work at the site in Shijiazhuang, Hebei

In an aerial video released by state outlet Xinhua News Agency , dozens of construction machines can be seen operating on the site and transporting materials while teams of builders worked relentlessly on the brown field in Shijiazhuang, Hebei

In an aerial video released by state outlet Xinhua News Agency , dozens of construction machines can be seen operating on the site and transporting materials while teams of builders worked relentlessly on the brown field in Shijiazhuang, Hebei

The news comes as China has been battling to contain a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks in several provinces in the north.

It also comes as experts from World Health Organization experts arrived in Wuhan today to investigate the origins of the pandemic.

The latest outbreak, emerged in Hebei Province which surrounds Beijing, has seen over 20million people under lockdown, immediate travel restrictions and widespread testing.

On Thursday, the country recorded the highest daily infection figures since March 5 with 138 new cases. It also reported the first coronavirus death in eight months.

The authorities said that 124 of the new cases were local infections, 81 of which were reported in Hebei Province surrounding Beijing and 43 in Heilongjiang.

With the brunt of cases found in Hebei’s provincial capital Shijiazhuang, a city of 11million residents, the local government gave an emergency order on Thursday to build a massive quarantine centre in Zhengding County.

The project, led by China Railway Construction Cooperation, occupies 82 acres of land, and its ‘basic construction’ is due to be completed within three days, according to a government notice released today.

After finishing the basic construction of laying a hardened foundation on the ground, the 3,000 makeshift housing units will be assembled above the platform.

In an aerial video released by state outlet Xinhua News Agency, dozens of construction machines can be seen operating on the site and transporting materials while teams of builders worked relentlessly on the brown field. 

The new wave of infections comes ahead of next month’s Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of people typically travel to their home towns. 

The resurgence has already prompted some provinces to discourage travel, which could lead to reduced travel and dampen consumption during the long break.  

China had largely brought the coronavirus under control since its emergence in Wuhan late in 2019.

But recent weeks have seen smatterings of cases, prompting localised lockdowns, immediate travel restrictions and widespread testing of tens of millions of people.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, rose to 78 from 38 a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mainland China now stands at 87,844, while the death toll rose to 4,635.