UPDATED: Events continue to move fast. Now media reports indicate that Ezhou, China (pop. 1 million) Rail system is being shut down as well.
#14,716
Yesterday, Wuhan City was put on lockdown in order to curb the spread of the 2019 nCoV epidemic. An extraordinary measure, which effectively quarantines 11 million people (see decree below)
Of new pneumonia epidemic prevention and control headquarters in Shanghai
(No. 1)
January 23, 2020
Source: Changjiang Daily
In order to fully do a good job in the prevention and control of the pneumonia epidemic of the new type of coronavirus infection, effectively cut off the transmission of the virus, resolutely curb the spread of the epidemic, and ensure the safety and health of the people, the relevant matters are notified as follows:
From 10:00 on January 23, 2020, the city's urban bus, subway, ferry, and long-distance passenger transportation will be suspended; for no special reason, citizens should not leave Wuhan, and the airport and train station from the Han corridor will be temporarily closed. Recovery time will be announced separately.
The public and passengers are kindly requested to understand and support!
Pneumonia epidemic prevention and control headquarters of new coronavirus infection in Wuhan
January 23, 2020It should be noted that this is NOT the sort of quarantine we would expect to see in the United States, or practically anyplace else, and is far different from quarantining (usually at home) a small number of exposed individuals.
This morning, there are reports of another city - Huanggang, pop. 7 million - roughly 75 km to the east of Wuhan, that is reportedly being locked down as well (see RTHK report China closing down more cities to stop Wuhan virus).
Several announcements have recently been posted to the Huanggang municipal website, including:
Provincial Government Information Office Holds Press Conference
Qiu Lixin briefed on pneumonia epidemic prevention and control of new coronavirus infection in our city
Source: Huanggang Daily Time: 2020-01-23 10:38
At 10:30 pm on January 22, the Provincial People's Government Information Office held a press conference on prevention and control of pneumonia epidemic of new-type coronavirus infection in Wuhan. At the meeting, Qiu Lixin, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and mayor, reported the pneumonia epidemic prevention and control of new coronavirus infection in our city.
As of 9:00 am on January 22, Huanggang City reported 12 cases of pneumonia and 16 suspected cases. Among the confirmed cases, there were 1 doctor, 4 nurses, and 7 others. The youngest patients were 24 years old and the largest was 76 years old. There are currently no critical cases and no deaths. Follow-up management of 82 close contacts, no abnormal symptoms.
After the outbreak, the municipal party committee and government resolutely implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on pneumonia epidemic of new coronavirus infection, important instructions from Premier Li Keqiang and the spirit of the State Council meeting, resolutely implemented the deployment requirements of the provincial party committee and government, and promptly launched public health emergencies. The emergency response plan for the incident, the establishment of the city's prevention and control headquarters, the establishment of seven working classes, the first phase of financial resources of 10 million yuan, quickly organized all parties to carry out prevention and control, and resolutely curb the spread of the epidemic.
(Continue . . .)
A letter to a citizen's friend
Source: Huanggang Published time: 2020-01-23 10:38
Dear citizens,
On January 21, the Provincial Health and Health Committee notified 12 new pneumonia cases (including 1 doctor and 4 nurses) in Huanggang City. The epidemic is coming at a rapid pace, which directly threatens the lives and health of the people and greatly affects the normal production and life of the general public. It is an urgent task for the whole city to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control and to resolutely curb the spread of the epidemic.
The municipal party committee and government resolutely implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the spirit of Premier Li Keqiang's instructions. In accordance with the Party Central Committee ’s decision-making and work requirements of the provincial party committee and provincial government, implement the provincial government ’s public health emergency level II emergency response and implement the most stringent prevention and control measures , Coordinate and organize the strength and resources of all parties, and go all out to carry out epidemic prevention and control and rescue work, all work is being carried out in an orderly manner. The general public must act quickly, everyone participates, join prevention and control, and fight a people's war against the prevention and control of a new type of coronavirus pneumonia.
Facing the epidemic, we hope that the general public believe in science and respond calmly. In accordance with emergency response requirements and expert recommendations, maintain personal hygiene, strengthen physical exercise, and consciously implement non-proliferation measures.
Try not to go to crowded places, especially stay at home during the Spring Festival, reduce walking to relatives, friends and dinner parties, wear masks according to specifications; ventilate the room multiple times, wash your hands frequently, drink plenty of water; do not spit or throw litter Do not believe the rumor, do not spread the rumor; if you feel unwell, go to the hospital in time; do not go to work or study with illness; report the pneumonia patients or suspects who have been infected with the new coronavirus, and report immediately to minimize yourself and your family And the possibility of being infected by people around you.
We firmly believe that with the cordial care of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, the State Council, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial Government, as long as the whole city as a whole is united and united, we must do a good job in all kinds of prevention and control and work together to fight the epidemic and curb the epidemic. Can win this epidemic prevention and control war.
Huanggang City New Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia Prevention and Control Headquarters
January 22, 2020
And finally this . . . (red lettering & bolding as found on the website)
Circular of Hubei Provincial People's Government on Strengthening Pneumonia Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection
Municipal, state and county people's governments, provincial government departments:
In order to strengthen the prevention and control of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection, effectively prevent the spread of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection, and protect the health and life of the people, according to the relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China on Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The people's government decided to initiate a level II emergency response to a public health emergency. The relevant matters are notified as follows:
I. Strictly implement the territorial management system
City, state and county governing body set up prevention and control of pneumonia novel coronavirus infection, unity is responsible for prevention and control of pneumonia novel coronavirus infection in administrative areas, each unit in the region (including the central unit in Hubei, troops, armed police ) Regardless of administrative affiliation, they must accept unified leadership, unified command, and overall coordination. All localities and departments must fulfill their responsibilities, ensure the smooth flow of government orders, and work together to prevent and control the epidemic.
2. Strict implementation of isolation measures
The quarantine includes suspected cases of pneumonitis infected by the new coronavirus, confirmed cases, close contacts, and suspicious exposed persons. Isolation treatment is performed for confirmed cases, and the patients are discharged according to the relevant diagnosis and treatment plan in accordance with the discharge standards. Suspected cases should be observed in the hospital with medical quarantine, and laboratory investigations should be carried out as soon as possible; those diagnosed with a new type of coronavirus through laboratory diagnosis can be released from quarantine. Close contact and suspicious exposed persons are subject to home or centralized isolation medical observation, and the observation period is 14 days after the last unprotected contact with the case or suspicious exposure. During the period of medical observation, if there are no symptoms of acute respiratory infection such as fever (underarm temperature ≥37.3 ℃), cough, shortness of breath, etc., the medical observation can be cancelled after the expiration.
3. Strengthening social prevention and control
Strengthen the management of mobile personnel. All airports, stations, wharfs and other transportation hubs in the province have set up temperature detection points to implement temperature detection for all incoming personnel and complete health registration. Those who are found to have suspected symptoms will be temporarily quarantined and transferred to a medical institution designated by the local health and health administrative department. Grass-roots organizations in urban and rural areas should register health returnees and foreigners from affected areas one by one, follow up and observe their health status in a timely manner, and immediately report fever and cough.
Localities should strictly control out-of-town meetings, tours, and inspections, and strictly limit the organization of large-scale events. It is necessary to do a good job of sanitary management and disinfection of public places, bazaars, catering and food production and operation units, strictly prevent the transmission of pneumonitis infected by new coronavirus through transportation, and try to block the source of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus from entering campus.
All localities and departments must strengthen the publicity of laws and regulations on the prevention and control of infectious diseases and the knowledge of prevention and control, and improve the health literacy of the masses. Frontline staff of various medical and health institutions, airports, railways, stations, terminals, customs and other departments and units, as well as staff who are in close contact with service targets such as transportation, shopping malls, restaurants, barber shops, etc., must strictly implement masks and other duties Necessary protection system. The public is advised to maintain personal hygiene, strengthen physical exercise, consciously maintain public health, and consciously implement non-proliferation measures during the prevention of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection.
(Continue . . . )
This report continues with 4 more major points. But the gist is, China appears to be pulling out all the stops to try to contain this epidemic.
The $64 question remains, can they do it?
Stay tuned. There's a busy day ahead.
