AusLeisure

While it would normally be staging events and preparing for the annual Ekka show, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) Showgrounds are currently being prepared for use as an emergency hospital for Coronavirus patients.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced over the weekend that facilities used to host the Royal Queensland Show could be used as an emergency hospital if the COVID-19 outbreak reaches the severe stage in Queensland.

Premier Palaszczuk says the RNA Showground facilities, used a century ago during the Spanish flu pandemic, followed by the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the city’s South Bank would be used in a "worst case scenario".

Posting archival photos of Brisbane's RNA Showgrounds during the Spanish flu pandemic, Premier Palaszczuk advised on Twitter “we're exploring similar options to treat coronavirus patients if there’s overflow from hospitals

Meanwhile, South Australian authorities say a holiday park will be used to care for coronavirus patients to ease the burden on local hospitals.

Hospital at Home nurses and specialists from the Flinders Medical Centre will review isolated patients, and increase clinical surveillance and support for them and their families at the Marion Holiday Park.

The park's units are self-contained with kitchens, bathrooms and open areas.

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