Serbia converts Europe's largest dome into 3,000-bed hospital

TORONTO -- Serbian soldiers have started converting a large exhibition centre into a 3,000-bed hospital to house COVID-19 patients.

The makeshift hospital is being constructed inside the Belgrade Fair complex, which is Europe’s largest self-supported dome.

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The complex, which sits on the banks of the Sava River, usually hosts trade shows and conventions.

The exhibition hall was taken over by the government amid growing concerns COVID-19 cases could overwhelm the country’s hospitals. As of March 25, Serbia has reported 303 cases of COVID-19.

Serbia’s defence minister said in a statement that Chinese doctors would be inspecting the new hospital to see if any improvements could be made.

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  Serbia has started converting Europe's largest dome into a 3,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 patients. ( Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful)