The authority of the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital today decided to provide its doctors, nurses and staff necessary protective equipment amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"We placed an order for 1,000 pieces of protective gowns at a cost of Tk 580 each for doctors and nurses so that they can deal with patients," Prof Uttam Kumar Barua, director of the hospital, told The Daily Star this evening.

A training session on dealing with coronavirus patients was also held at the hospital today, with another session for the nurses to be held on Tuesday, a source at the hospital said.

About those with symptoms seen in coronavirus infections, Uttam Kumar said an isolated ward with 20 beds is going to be set-up to provide treatment to such patients.