No. 121, February 17, 2020

As of 24:00 on February 16, The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 74,051 on the Chinese mainland, and more than 1,000 people were cured and discharged nationwide for five consecutive days.

(People's Daily)

No. 122, February 17, 2020

On the evening of February 16, the National Health Commission held a symposium on the prevention and control of the new coronavirus outbreak in Beijing. About 80 people  from a joint China-WHO expert mission on new coronavirus and representatives from relevant member units of the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council attended the meeting. The delegation fully exchanged views with the participants on the epidemic situation, community and rural prevention and control, wildlife management, and progress in drug and vaccine development, etc. They appreciated the comprehensive prevention and control measures taken by China and achievements, and expressed their admiration for the Chinese medical personnel. The delegation went to Beijing, Guangdong Province and Sichuan Province on February 17 to carry out site visits.

(Xinhua Viewpoint)

No. 123, February 17, 2020

In order to ensure the prevention and control of the epidemic, and adhere to putting the people's life safety and health in the first place, the meeting of the chairmen of the committee after a careful assessment, considered it’s necessary to postpone the convening of the third session of the thirteenth National People's Congress. At a meeting on the 17th, , the chairman of the committee decided that the sixteenth meeting of the Standing Committee of the thirteenth National People's Congress will be held in Beijing on February 24, and one of the agenda is to consider the meeting of the chairman of the committee on Submitted for consideration the "Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the postponement of the Third Session of the Thirteenth National People's Congress (draft)". Meanwhile, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is making preparations for amending laws related to the prevention and control of the epidemic.

(Xinhua Viewpoint)

No. 124, February 17, 2020

Yanrong Sun, Deputy Director of the Biological Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology: Chloroquine phosphate is an antimalarial drug that has been in clinical use for more than 70 years. Clinically we have seen with great certainty its efficacy against new coronavirus and no serious adverse reactions related to the drug have been found. The panel agreed that the safety of the drug for treatment in a broad population is manageable. Based on the results of the clinical studies conducted earlier, it is clear that chloroquine phosphate has efficacy in the treatment of new coronavirus. Based on the current urgent need for clinical treatment, the experts all recommended that chloroquine phosphate should be included in the new edition of the treatment guidelines as soon as possible to expand the scope of clinical application.

(CCTV News)

No. 125, February 18, 2020

On February 17, 2020, a cumulative total of 72436 confirmed cases has been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 1886 new cases. There are 1097 new severe cases, 98 new deaths (93 in Hubei, 3 in Henan, 1 in Hebei and 1 in Hunan) and 1432 new suspected cases.

1701 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 27908 close contacts were removed from medical observation.

As of 24:00 of February 17, 2020, 58016 confirmed cases have been reported on the Chinese Mainland (including 11741 severe cases). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 12552 on the Chinese mainland (7 patients less in Beijing by correction), with the total death toll at 1868. A cumulative total of 72436 confirmed cases has been reported on the Chinese mainland with 6242 suspected cases. There are a total of 560901 close contacts, and 141552 close contacts are still under medical observation.

There are 1807 new confirmed cases in Hubei (1600 in Wuhan). 1223 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery (761 in Wuhan) with 93 new deaths (72 in Wuhan). 50338 confirmed cases (37152 in Wuhan) have been reported (including 10970 severe cases with 9222 in Wuhan). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 7862 (4219 in Wuhan), with the total death toll at 1789 (1381 in Wuhan). A cumulative total of 59989 confirmed cases (42752 in Wuhan) has been reported with 4194 suspected cases (1799 in Wuhan). There are 788 new suspected cases (340 in Wuhan).

A cumulative total of 92 confirmed cases has been reported in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, including 60 in Hong Kong (2 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 2 deaths), 10 in Macau (5 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery) , and 22 in Taiwan (2 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery and 1 death). 

(National Health Commission)

No. 126, February 18, 2020

On the 17th, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that WHO maintains its previous assessment that New Coronary Pneumonia is not a global epidemic and will not raise the risk level of the outbreak on a global scale. WHO also said that the use of plasma from people recovering from New Coronary Pneumonia for the treatment of New Coronary Pneumonia warrants further research.

(CCTV)

No. 127, February 18, 2020

Premier Li Keqiang hosted a State Council executive meeting on Feb. 18, deploying the work of spring agricultural production without missing the farming season; decided to phase in the reduction of enterprise social security premiums and the implementation of enterprise deferred housing fund policy. Before the end of June, enterprises can apply for deferred housing fund, and during this period, that employees affected by the epidemic fail to make normal repayments of provident fund loans, is not regarded as overdue.

(CCTV News)

No. 128, February 18, 2020

On the morning of February 18, Liu Zhiming, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president of Wuchang Hospital of Wuhan, unfortunately contracted the infection in the fight against the new coronavirus epidemic and died from it. In the afternoon of the same day, commissioned by Sun Chunlan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, Yu Xuejun, deputy director of National Health Commission, on behalf of the central steering group to Hubei, went to Sino-French New City of Wuhan Tongji Hospital to express condolences on the death of President Liu Zhiming and to his family.

(CCTV News)

No. 129, February 19, 2020

On February 18, 2020, a cumulative total of 74185 confirmed cases has been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 1749 new cases. There are 236 new severe cases and 136 new deaths (132 in Hubei, 1 in Heilongjiang, 1 in Shandong, 1 in Guangdong and 1 in Guizhou) and 1185 new suspected cases.

1824 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 25014 close contacts were removed from medical observation.

As of 24:00 of February 18, 2020, 57805 confirmed cases have been reported on the Chinese Mainland (including 11977 severe cases). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 14376 on the Chinese mainland, with the total death toll at 2004. A cumulative total of 74185 confirmed cases has been reported on the Chinese mainland with 5248 suspected cases. There are a total of 574418 close contacts, and 135881 close contacts are still under medical observation.

There are 1693 new confirmed cases in Hubei (1660 in Wuhan). 1266 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery (676 in Wuhan) with 132 new deaths (116 in Wuhan). 50633 confirmed cases (38020 in Wuhan) have been reported (including 11246 severe cases with 9562 in Wuhan). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 9128 (4895 in Wuhan), with the total death toll at 1921 (1497 in Wuhan). A cumulative total of 61682 confirmed cases (44412 in Wuhan) has been reported with 3462 suspected cases (1649 in Wuhan). There are 596 new suspected cases (234 in Wuhan).

A cumulative total of 94 confirmed cases has been reported in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, including 62 in Hong Kong (4 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 2 deaths), 10 in Macau (5 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery) , and 22 in Taiwan (2 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery and 1 death). 

(National Health Commission)

No. 130, February 19, 2020

On February 18, 1,749 new confirmed cases have been reported, 1,824 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery. The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 14376. According to the data of the National Health Commission, on February 18, 56 new confirmed cases were reported in areas outside Hubei, showing a decline for the 15th consecutive day. This data in the past were: 890 cases (3rd), 731 cases (4th), 707 cases (5th), 696 cases (6th), 558 cases (7th), 509 cases (8th), 444 cases (9th), 381 cases (10th), 377 cases (11th), 312 cases (12th), 267 cases (13th), 221 cases (14th), 166 cases (15th) day), 115 cases (16th), and 79 cases (17th).

(CCTV News)

No. 131, February 19, 2020

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mourned the passing of Liu, saying that he had touched and saved numerous lives in the COVID-19 outbreak. “I extend my condolences to Dr. Zhiming Liu's family, colleagues, and patients, and my heart goes out to them and to all the health workers fighting on the front lines of the epidemic."    

(World Health Organization)

No. 132, February 19, 2020

Today, the National Health Commission released the "New Coronavirus Pneumonia Treatment Plan (Trial Version 6)". It adds "the possibility of aerosol transmission exists during prolonged exposure to high aerosol concentrations in a relatively closed environment." and deletes "there is no confirmed effective anti-new coronavirus treatment." It also adds "chloroquine phosphate (500 mg twice daily for adults) and abidor (200 mg three times daily for adults)" to the trial drugs and adds "plasma therapy for recovered patients".

(CCTV News)

No. 133, February 19, 2020

President Xi Jinping recently gave important instructions on the care and protection of medical personnel involved in the prevention and control of the epidemic, stressing that medical personnel are the backbone of the fight against the epidemic, and we must pay great attention to their protection and care, and provide all-round support and protection, so as to support their fight against the the epidemic in a healthy and energetic state.

(Xinhua Viewpoint)

No. 134, February 19, 2020

On February 19, no new confirmed cases were reported in Liaoning, Fujian, Shanxi, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Guizhou, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai and many other places; On the 19th, there are no new confirmed cases in Yunnan and Guizhou, and no new confirmed cases in Gansu from the 18th to 19th.

(CCTV News)

No. 135, February 20, 2020

On February 19, 2020, a cumulative total of 74576 confirmed cases has been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 394 new cases. There are 114 new deaths (108 in Hubei, 1 in Hebei, Shanghai, Fujian, Shandong, Yunnan and Shaanxi) and 1277 new suspected cases.

1779 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery, 25318 close contacts were removed from medical observation, and there are 113 severe cases less than the previous day.

As of 24:00 of February 19, 2020, 56303 confirmed cases have been reported on the Chinese Mainland (including 11864 severe cases). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 16155 on the Chinese mainland, with the total death toll at 2118. A cumulative total of 74576 confirmed cases (3 cases less in Jiangxi, Henan and Yunnan by correction) has been reported on the Chinese mainland with 4922 suspected cases. There are a total of 589163 close contacts, and 126363 close contacts are still under medical observation.

There are 349 new confirmed cases in Hubei (615 in Wuhan, 13 in Xiantao and other 3 cities, 279 cases less in Jingmen, Xianning,etc. by correction). 1209 COVID-19 patients are discharged from hospitals after recovery (553 in Wuhan) with 108 new deaths (88 in Wuhan). 49665 confirmed cases (37994 in Wuhan) have been reported (including 11178 severe cases with 9689 in Wuhan). The total number of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery reached 10337 (5448 in Wuhan), with the total death toll at 2029 (1585 in Wuhan). A cumulative total of 62031 confirmed cases (45027 in Wuhan) has been reported with 3456 suspected cases (1940 in Wuhan). There are 880 new suspected cases (483 in Wuhan).

A cumulative total of 99 confirmed cases has been reported in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, including 65 in Hong Kong (5 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery, and 2 deaths), 10 in Macau (6 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery) , and 24 in Taiwan (2 patients discharged from hospitals after recovery and 1 death). 

(National Health Commission)

No. 136, February 20, 2020

Recently, the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Japan has continued to develop. The Chinese side is highly concerned about it and feels the same way. After learning that the Japanese side was short of nucleic acid testing reagents for the new coronavirus, China immediately expressed its willingness to provide assistance to the Japanese side and took action. Recently, Shenzhen Huada Gene Technology Co., Ltd and Shenzhen Mammoth Foundation donated a batch of nucleic acid test kits for NIV to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan.

(Globe Newswire)

No. 137, February 20, 2020

On February 18, the research by Professor Guan Yi's group at the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with Yanling Hu's group at Guangxi Medical University was published on the paper preprint site bioRxiv, and suggests that pangolin is a likely intermediate host for the new coronavirus from bats to humans. The study suggests that by analyzing the findings of multiple lineages of pangolin coronavirus and its similarity to 2019-nCoV, pangolins should be considered as possible intermediate hosts for this novel human virus and it also suggests that pangolins should be removed from wet markets to prevent zoonotic transmission.

(The Paper)

No. 138, February 20, 2020

The National Health Commission released the data of new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic on the 20th, with 615 new confirmed cases in Wuhan, compared to 349 new cases in the province. In response to the data revision, Hubei Provincial Health Commission responded that on the issuance of the new coronavirus pneumonia diagnosis and treatment plan (trial version 6) by National Health Commission on February 18, 2020, compared to the diagnosis and treatment plan (trial version 5), Hubei province-specific clinical diagnosis case category is canceled, and it only retains confirmed and suspected cases. Regarding this adjustment of the diagnosis and treatment protocol, some cities and states organized expert groups to re-consult the clinically diagnosed cases reported earlier. Through comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms and laboratory test results of the cases, it was considered that some of the cases reported earlier did not meet the definition of confirmed cases and are categorized into other diseases or as suspected cases, which was reported directly in the epidemic network.

(Xinhua Viewpoint)

No. 139, February 20, 2020

On February 19, at a press conference of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean said there is no evidence that the new coronavirus was created in a laboratory or as a biological weapon, and that the new coronavirus came from the animals.

(CCTV)

No. 140, February 20, 2020

The National Health Commission issued: ① work injury recognition policy makes it clear that medical personnel infected with the new coronavirus due to work duties should be recognized as a work injury; ② implementation of the treatment policy; temporary work allowance is issued to medical personnel who work in the front line; ③increasing the standard of health epidemic prevention allowance, which has been approved by the State Council and will be issued in the near future; ④ it’s allowed to give additional work subsidies to medical personnel working in the front-line.

(CCTV News)