The Deputy Prime Minister of China stresses the need to ensure a smooth transition of the phases of the response to the COVID-19
Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday stressed the importance of meticulously implementing various measures to optimize COVID-19 prevention and control and ensure a smooth transition of the country’s COVID-19 response phases.
Ms. Sun made the remarks during her inspection of the epidemic control work in Beijing. She said the work should be prioritized from infection prevention to medical treatment, with the aim of ensuring people’s health and preventing serious cases.
He said that the principle of putting people and their interests first must be respected.
He also stressed the need to effectively coordinate the COVID-19 response with economic and social development.
Ms. Sun conducted the inspection as new infections soared in Beijing. But the vast majority of cases are asymptomatic and mild. There are 50 severe and critical cases in the hospital, most of which have underlying health conditions.
The deputy prime minister noted that the urgent task right now is to support the city to ensure its residents have access to medical services and medicines.
He said that in addition to the 303 fever clinics in Beijing, more such clinics should be set up in temporary hospitals, and the number of health workers should be increased in all fever clinics.
He called for better protection for the elderly, children, patients with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, hemodialysis patients and other vulnerable groups.
Medical institutions should care for patients whether they have COVID-19 or not, Sun said.
He said the production and supply of drugs and test kits is accelerating. In general, they can keep up with demand, she added.
“With the system’s lead in nationwide resource mobilization, we can definitely get through this COVID-19 spike,” he noted.
