Xi Jinping, who visited Wuhan for the first time, has sought to portray China’s efforts as an example for the world as infections spread globally.
Xie Huanchi / Xinhua, via Associated Press
(March) ,
“Hubei and Wuhan have been the very most decisive battleground in this struggle to contain the epidemic,” Mr. Xi said, according to an account of his remarks from Xinhua, the official news agency. “Through arduous efforts, there’s been a promising turn in epidemic containment in Hubei and Wuhan, and we’ve achieved important interim results. But the tasks of containment remain arduous and heavy. ”
The National Health Commission of China on Tuesday reported only (new coronavirus infections in the previous) (hours, and) deaths. All but two of the new infections occurred in Wuhan; the other two involved people who contracted the virus abroad.
that meant that for a third day in a row, the virus has not spread outside of the outbreak’s source, according to the official accounting.
Even in Wuhan, the government has declared some neighborhoods free of new infections. The city has also closed (of) temporary shelters it had opened in exhibition centers and sports stadiums to isolate thousands of those who had been infected.
That did not stop it online, where one user on Weibo mocked Mr. Xi after a photograph appeared in state media showing him holding a videoconference with a patient and medical workers. “Coming all the way to video chat,” the user wrote. “Is the network in Beijing not working?
In other parts of town, though , residents who have been largely confined to their homes gleefully posted rare glimpses of Mr. Xi in videos taken through their windows. In one, Mr. Xi emerged from a small bus and waved at residents who shouted, “Wuhan, jia you,” a phrase that translates as “add oil” but is meant as an encouragement, like “Let’s go.”
One resident, Zhao Qian, welcomes the visit, saying it was a sign that the central leadership was paying close attention to the situation, but she still blamed the local officials for mismanaging the government response.
“In the beginning, they concealed the initial reports, which ended up affecting the lives of many people,” she said. Ms. Zhao gave birth in early January to a daughter with a congenital heart condition. Because of the focus on the coronavirus, her daughter was unable to get treatment for weeks. Her family is reeling from the financial effects of the extended lockdown.
- What is a coronavirus? it is a novel virus named for the crownlike spikes that protrude from its surface. The coronavirus can infect both animals and people and can cause a range of respiratory illnesses
from the common cold to lung lesions and pneumonia. - How contagious is the virus? It seems to spread very easily from person to person, especially in homes, hospitals and other confined spaces. The pathogen can travel through the air, enveloped in tiny respiratory droplets that are produced when a sick person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.
- Where has the virus spread? the virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has sickened more than , 2018 in at least countries and more than 4, have died. The spread has slowed in China, but is gaining speed in Europe and (the United States) .
- What symptoms should I look out for? Symptoms, which can take between (two to) days to appear , include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Milder cases may resemble the flu or a bad cold, but people may be able to pass on the virus even before they develop symptoms.
- How do I keep myself and others safe? Washing your hands
- How can I prepare for a possible outbreak? (Keep a) – day supply of essential medicines. Get a flu shot. Have essential household items on hand. Have a support system in place for elderly family members.
- What if I’m traveling? The CDC has has
advised against all non-essential travel to South Korea, China, Italy and Iran. And the agency has warned older and at-risk travelers to avoid Japan.The State Department has advised Americans against traveling on cruise ships. - How long will it take to develop a treatment or vaccine?
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings