(CNN) One of the most famous stadiums in the world and a showpiece venue for the Rio Olympics is to be converted into a field hospital to treat patients infected with the novel coronavirus.

The iconic Maracana in Rio de Janiero -- host of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup final -- will be transformed to accommodate the rising number of confirmed cases in Brazil.

The 78,000-seater stadium, home of 2019 Copa Libertadores winner Flamengo , is just one of several stadiums and convention centers set to be converted.

In Sao Paulo -- the city with the largest number of confirmed cases and deaths -- the mayor's office announced that a combined 2000 hospital beds would be added to the Pacaembu stadium and the Anhembi convention center over the next few weeks.

Read More