SCIO press conference on upholding dynamic zero-COVID policy to prevent, control COVID-19
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 30, 2022
ITV News:
Mr. Liang Wannian, you mentioned some cities have already battled some Omicron outbreaks. In those cities, it has taken generally far less than it has taken in Shanghai, where they're entering their second month of lockdown. The numbers are still rising. Do you know why that is? Why has the situation become so bad in Shanghai? You did mention there is a high elderly population there. Can I also ask if China has any plans to roll out mRNA vaccines? Thank you.
Li Bin:
Your questions cover two aspects. The first one will go to Mr. Liang, and the second one on mRNA vaccines will go to Mr. Lei.
Liang Wannian:
Thank you. Shanghai is now still at a critical stage to control the epidemic. Also, as we see, data from the reported cases show a downturn in the curve. It is gradually decreasing on a high base. All these demonstrate that our series of efforts and strategies to respond to COVID-19 are taking effect and effectively curbing the surge of cases. The situation shows signs of improvement. However, with about 10,000 new COVID-19 cases reported every day in Shanghai, the situation remains grim and complex.
Shanghai and Beijing are megacities with a large population base, high population density, and high population mobility, which pose significant difficulties for prevention and control. For such a large population, nearly 25 million people in Shanghai, we need systematic, considerate, and extensive allocation of resources, mobilization, and coordination to effectively organize a nucleic acid test and implement a specific anti-epidemic measure. It is a systematic project involving the municipal government, districts, and specific sub-districts and residents' committees. It is one of the difficulties. It cannot be done quickly and well like some other cities and areas do.
Second, it requires us to have a strong capacity against the virus. Like the frequently discussed time and space in academic fields, it requires different capacity levels against the virus in our system, nucleic acid testing capacity for example. For a city with 1 million people and one with 25 million, it will take longer in the case of insufficient capacity but may take merely 24 hours when there is sufficient capacity. So, that is another challenge.
Moreover, city operation must be ensured in the anti-epidemic fight. The supply of water, electricity, coal, and gas and public security needed in the running of the economy and people's everyday lives must be ensured. For example, couriers, transportation, medical staff and services, community organizers, and volunteers are necessary, so there has been a certain level of mobility. Given the extensive virus spread in communities in Shanghai, such population mobility is bound to bring greater risks to prevention and control.
When the virus is quickly spreading in such a big city, it requires adequate preparations and resources to ensure the policy of ensuring that all those in need are tested, quarantined, treated, or restricted was implemented. If no adequate preparations and resources like hospital beds, infected cases, confirmed cases, close contacts, and secondary close contacts would be stranded in communities, resulting in virus spread in families and communities. It is also a challenge for Shanghai to ensure the policy of ensuring that all those in need are tested, quarantined, treated, or restricted was implemented effectively. Still, we are pleased to see that Shanghai is heading in the right direction, with remarkable progress in medical treatment and sufficient beds in makeshift hospitals. It took some time to get there. Shanghai went through a difficult period some time ago, which has to do with many aspects, including the characteristics of the city, the rapid spread of the virus, the level of our overall resources, and the mobility of the people.
Finally, Shanghai has a high population density. Since the outbreak in the city, the epidemic has spread widely in the community. Compared with single or regional cluster cases, the prevention and control measures for widespread community transmission have more difficulties. Therefore, it might take longer, and measures such as nucleic acid testing, antigen testing, and screening strategies may be needed more frequently.
Thank you.
Lei Zhenglong:
Regarding mRNA vaccines, China has arranged several research and development tasks. Some with faster timelines are conducting phase III clinical trials abroad, and some are in the process of review and approval. For details, please consult the relevant departments. Thank you.
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