Kolkata's historic Eden Gardens stadium to be used as coronavirus quarantine centre

Venue to be used for Kolkata police personnel who have contracted the virus

Kolkata's legendary Eden Gardens cricket stadium is to be used as a quarantine centre for Indian police who have the coronavirus. AFP

The Eden Gardens has seen some iconic moments, like when the West Indies defeated England to win the 2016 T20 World Cup final. Getty

Allan Border of Australia is supported by his team mates as he holds the trophy aloft after the World Cup final against England at Eden Gardens in 1987. Australia won the match by seven runs. Allsport

The dismissal of England captain Mike Gatting proved the turning point in the 1987 World Cup final, which Australia won by seven runs. Getty Images

VVS Laxman during his epic 281 against Australia at the 2001 Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Getty Images

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar announced his arrival on the international stage during the Asian Test championship match against India at the Eden Gardens in 1999. AFP

Rajasthan Royals' Ben Stokes plays a shot during the 2019 IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. AFP

South African captain Clive Rice, right, and Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin at the coin toss before the first ODI at Eden Gardens in 1991. This was South Africa's first tour after readmission to the ICC. Shaun Botterill / Getty

India's then fielding coach Robin Singh, centre, during the second day of a five-day conditioning camp at Eden Gardens in 2007. AFP

Kolkata's legendary Eden Gardens cricket stadium is set to be used as a quarantine centre for Indian police who have the coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.

With the city's hospitals under growing pressure, hundreds of beds are to be set up in the 80,000 capacity stadium that was used for the 1987 World Cup and 2016 T20 World Cup finals.

Nearly 550 Kolkata police have tested positive for the coronavirus and two have died.

"It is our duty to help and support the administration in this hour of crisis. The quarantine facility will be used for police personnel who are Covid-19 warriors," Cricket Association of Bengal president Avishek Dalmiya was quoted as saying by AFP.

The beds will be put in galleries around the seating and not on the pitch that was last used by India for a day-night Test against Bangladesh last November.

"Such areas would be thoroughly segregated as a safety measure," added Dalmiya.

The stadium is also used by Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders but this year's tournament has been repeatedly postponed because of the pandemic.

India's nationwide coronavirus toll rose to over 820,000 cases on Saturday with 22,193 deaths.