South Australia set to open first dedicated coronavirus hospital

Teams of tradies are working hard to turn Wakefield Hospital into South Australia's first dedicated coronavirus facility.

Some rooms are on track to take their first patients after Easter if needed, with 130 beds in total to be made available, depending on demand.

"We've had about half of the medical equipment delivered to the site," Health Minister Stephen Wade said.

"We are working tirelessly to make sure that the health system will cope and so that South Australians will be protected."

More back-up options are being looked at should the coronavirus crisis escalate.

Officials are continue to progress plans to repurpose the former Julia Farr Centre in Fullarton.

Meanwhile, the pandemic has seen nine country emergency departments shut at hospitals linked to aged care facilities.

Premier Steven Marshall said the government had not taken that option lightly.

"We know there will be some inconvenience," he said.

The government has chosen to bring forward a $45 million expansion of Flinders Medical Centre's emergency department, with the first 12 extra beds to open within a week.

Once finished, it will become the largest emergency facility in the state.

To free up space at Flinders, some services will be shifted to Noarlunga.

The state opposition has demanded reassurances it won't impact the hospital's ability to respond to the coronavirus situation.