LABCORP INSTITUTE More than 300 hospital beds were shuttered or relocated in a dramatic move by the state’s hospital administrator on Wednesday to tackle the rise of the coronavirus.

Laboratory tests have confirmed that the virus has been spreading in the state, prompting the closure of at least 25,000 of its 3,300 hospital beds.

“We’re not just talking about the closure, but the closure is the death sentence,” Dr Stephen Laxamana told Reuters news agency.

“We’ve got an epidemic, we’ve got to manage it.”

The hospital has shut down four of its five primary care clinics since Friday.

On Wednesday, Laxampana said it would also close six of its 10 emergency wards.

“I would like to thank all the patients, doctors, nurses and staff for their service, commitment and support over the last three and a half weeks,” he said.

“It’s a good start to the season.”

The outbreak has been blamed on the coronas pandemic.

Health officials have said it has hit more than 2,000 healthcare workers.

Health minister Tarek El Zebari said that in the coming weeks the government will launch a “massive programme” to tackle coronaviruses, the virus that causes acute respiratory syndrome.

“It is a crisis, but it is a huge crisis for the state and its citizens,” he told reporters.

“In the coming days we will start to talk about the national strategy.”

Laxampanas government said that it would “work to protect and enhance our health care system” to fight the spread of the virus.