Sichuan and Some Other Provinces in China Adjust the Emergency Response to Public Health Emergencies to Level Two
Since February 26, 2020, Sichuan COVID-19 prevention and control level has been adjusted from response of public health emergency level one to level two.
On January 25, 2020, Sichuan Province launched the first level response to public health emergencies and issued eight first level emergency response measures, including comprehensive community screening and strict access management, curbing village (community) gathering activities, shutting down secondary and primary schools, training institutions, etc. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Sichuan Province was 529 while the death toll was three. Additionally, 248 people now are hospitalized for treatment while 278 people were cured and declared infection-free.
Sichuan Province has struck a balance between prevention measures and continued production. It carried out swift "spring wind action"----organizing migrant workers to return to work in an orderly manner, encouraging enterprises to gradually resume production and opening scenic spots.
In addition to Sichuan Province, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Gansu and six other provinces and cities have lowered their response levels. The number of newly confirmed cases in areas other than Hubei Province was just nine on February 24th . Now China’s epidemic situation is gradually being brought under control.
Outside China, the COVID-19 is escalating. 853 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Japan. In South Korea, which recorded 144 cases in just a day, is on high alert. At present, 12 towns in Italy are in a state of blockade and more than 50 thousand people told to stay isolated at home. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, stressed on February 24 that rapid increase of confirmed cases in Italy, Iran, South Korea and other places is very worrying.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, all provinces, autonomous regions and cities in China have resolutely implemented the general requirements of the COVID-19 prevention and control work through " strong, unified, scientific and precise prevention and control with firm confidence ", adopted the most comprehensive, strict and thorough prevention and control measures and achieved remarkable results to set an example in the world.