One of the rooms in Liangjiang’s second medical observation center. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

A second medical observation center for monitoring close contacts of the novel coronavirus began operating in the Liangjiang New Area, Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, on Feb 3, according to officials.

The facility took only a day and a half to convert from a recently finished hospital.

Officials said that all the medical staff, as well as police, community officials and other people accessing the facility will use specialized passageways and elevators to prevent cross infection.

Officials said that 18 staff members who volunteered to serve at the observation center completed their medical training.

Wang Xinyu, in charge of the center, said the medical team will do their best to reduce people’s fear of quarantine, while working to prevent and control the coronavirus.