Joy in Spain: the largest field hospital closes as all patients with Covid-19 recover

The evolution of the coronavirus in Spain reaches a moment that most of the Spanish people were expecting. And it is that from this Saturday on, May 2, the government allowed the population to the mobilize.

Joy in Spain: the largest field hospital closes as all patients with Covid-19 recover

After 40 days of operation, the field hospital, set up in record time at the IFEMA convention center in Madrid in the midst of the pandemic, closed its doors after applauding the last of the nearly 4,000 patients after overcoming the disease. Medical health workers discharged them with joy as they were passing by.

The hospital was not only the largest in Spain but also the largest in Europe with over 5,500 beds available.

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The closing celebration began last night when patients and medical staff melted into hugs and applause, dancing together the cover of the song “I Will Resist”. They took it as the anthem of the fight against Covid-19.

The solemn closing ceremony is a tribute to the health workers who have risked their lives in this field hospital. Many people call it “the miracle of Ifema”.

Many others compared this technical marvel to the two hospitals built in 11 days in Wuhan, the Chinese city epicenter of the pandemic.

Example of solidarity to the world

Throughout these 40 days of health care, the amount of people to decicate their lives to help overwhelm: 1,000 health workers dedicated in body and soul to saving more than 4,000 patients that are now discharged. Only 17 patients did not to survive Covid-19. The positive side is that none of the health workers infected with virus.

From the first moment, solidarity overflowed in the place. This made easier the management capacity of those responsible for the facilities.

The general director of Ifema, Eduardo López-Huertas, had to establish a system to channel donations in order to use them and facilitate the life and rest of the restrooms.

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Companies from all over Spain turned to supporting this field hospital, the spearhead in the fight against the pandemic. From the first days, the municipal markets of Madrid were organized to deliver fruits and vegetables to Ifema.

Makro expanded an initial donation of 55,000 bottles of water and 25,000 pastries; about 5,000 soft drinks and more than 1,000 cakes. Telefónica deployed a data network to provide free connectivity to these facilities. Naturgy also supplied free gas to the mega hospital in addition to offering extensive technical means for any emergency that may have arisen.

Renfe also delivered a total of 450 blankets from the company’s hotel trains. The Teatro Real did something similar and delivered material from its warehouse; Consisting of 1,187 reusable items of clothing: 142 white coveralls, 320 lab coats, 200 white coats, and 525 patient shirts.

Solidarity showed some others anonymous helpers. This is the case, for example, of the Ángel Schlesser brand that delivered 1,000 robes; created by the Higher Fashion Design Center of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM).

The facilities will be maintained due to possible restart of the outbreak.

The Ifema installation left spectacular images such as those starred by the fire teams of the Community of Madrid; in one weekend they planned and developed a sophisticated gas and oxygen piping system to provide services to the more than 1,500 beds that the facility was equipped with.

Although the field hospital is dismantled, all underground facilities will be maintained; Medical materials will be stored in order to restart this center in the event that it is necessary due to a possible restart of the outbreak.

Controversial closure

Between applause of joy and cries of protest, Ifema closes. The act has mixed solemnity with indignation; the president of the Community of Madrid proclaiming the historicity of what was achieved and the opposition annoyed at calling a massive event without keeping the mandatory safety distance at any time.

This afternoon we have learned that the Madrid Government Delegation will investigate whether the restrictions have been breached in the celebration of Ifema. The head, José Manuel Franco, said in ‘Hora 25’ with Aimar Bretos that the “health workers deserve protection and not to be overcrowded”, hence the investigation that the police will carry out can result in fines.

In Spain, 114,678, recovered from covid-19 while 24,824 people died from this virus leaving a total of 215,216 affected by the pandemic.

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