Coronavirus: Aerial footage shows China rushing to build hospitals following deadly outbreak

Wuhan to build two dedicated hospitals in matter of days as disease continues to spread

Chinese officials are rushing to build two hospitals in a matter of days to treat coronavirus patients, as latest figures reveal the outbreak has killed 41 and infected more than 1,300 globally.

Video of the construction shows dozens of diggers laying down the foundation for the first makeshift hospital dedicated to those suffering from the deadly virus.

Wuhan authorities said they are rapidly constructing the new first hospital and expect it to be completed by 3 February.

State media the People's Daily reported that city officials have decided to build a secon​d hospital, which will have 1,300 beds and be constructed within half a month.

The hospitals are being modelled on a design that was built in Beijing in just six days during the SARS outbreak.

As Wuhan slides into isolation, pharmacies have begun to run out of supplies and hospitals have been flooded with nervous residents.

Videos circulating online showed throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations, and some complained that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity.