Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, July 29 - Question: strict prevention and control is the key - Hong Kong Zhong Nanshan talk epidemic prevention and control situation
Reporter Xiao Sisi Xu Hongyi Huo Siying
As of the 28th, 2884 confirmed cases have been reported, and the daily increase in cases continues to hit new highs... How will the new crown epidemic in Hong Kong develop? Are the current measures in place? How can we further prevent and control the epidemic?
At the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Zhong Nanshan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, director of the National Respiratory Diseases Clinical Medicine Research Center, and professor of respiratory medicine at Guangzhou Medical University, accepted an interview with Xinhua News Agency on the 29th to discuss the judgment of the Hong Kong epidemic situation and the prevention and control of the epidemic Suggestions.
Epidemic situation: the key depends on prevention and control efforts
As of the 28th, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has reported 2,884 confirmed cases and 23 deaths. Zhong Nanshan believes that the prevalence of new coronary pneumonia in Hong Kong is about 37 per 100,000, and the death rate is 0.7 per 100,000. The data is not high, but the epidemic in Hong Kong is still developing.
He said: "Hong Kong's epidemic situation was well controlled from February to April. From April to late June, the highest daily increase did not exceed 20 cases. So at that time, we felt that Hong Kong was doing very beautifully and successfully. But on July 8. By the 18th, there will be a little more, but the daily average is not more than 60. In the 10 days after July 18, except for a few days, the number of cases has increased by more than 100 per day, and the highest is the daily increase of 145 cases. Whether it is the highest rank is still unknown."
Zhong Nanshan believes that there is already a community infection in Hong Kong, but its spread is not a geometric or chain reaction growth like that in Western countries, but a daily increase on a level. This shows that government intervention, social intervention or Played a big role.
Finding more "asymptomatic infections" is crucial for prevention and control measures to be implemented
At present, the SAR government has taken measures to further tighten social interactions such as prohibiting dine-in meals in the catering industry and wearing masks in public places, as well as plans to rebuild "square cabin hospitals" and provide community isolation measures. Are these measures sufficient?
Zhong Nanshan believes that Hong Kong is currently grasping two main problems, one is nucleic acid testing, and the other is isolation measures.
Zhong Nanshan suggested that Hong Kong should strengthen testing, especially the screening of asymptomatic infections. "I suggest that it should not only be carried out in the specific Wong Tai Sin district, but should be carried out in the entire Hong Kong. There are only seven or eight million people in total, which should not be difficult. The advantage lies in early detection and early isolation, reducing human infection. Opportunities for people. For example, in Wuhan, with the'square cabin hospital', tens of thousands of people were quarantined, and the problem was quickly resolved."
Zhong Nanshan said: “Intensified testing is actually to find more asymptomatic patients. Because symptoms are a subjective factor, everyone feels different. In addition, some asymptomatic infections are in the incubation period, which is not strictly speaking. It is called asymptomatic, but to be onset. There is also a kind of asymptomatic infection that is currently being studied in depth. It has no obvious symptoms and heals on its own after a period of time. But the biggest problem of these asymptomatic infections is that they have a strong infection. Sex, so it must be found early."
The rapid control of the epidemic in the Mainland benefits from the cooperation of citizens
Zhong Nanshan believes that compared with Hong Kong, the mainland has adopted stricter epidemic prevention and control measures. The current practice in the mainland, whether in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Xinjiang, or Beijing, is to quickly restrict the disease to a certain area to reduce the spread. For example, after the outbreak of the new outbreak in Beijing, the measures adopted were very strict. "All citizens in the place where the epidemic occurred have undergone nucleic acid testing. At the same time, the entire society has been mobilized. Not going out has reduced the spread between communities. In addition, universities, middle schools and primary schools have been closed. These are all powerful measures. Under these measures, it took us about 25 days to clear the number of cases."
At present, the Hong Kong epidemic is still in an ascending stage. Zhong Nanshan hopes that prevention and control measures will be strengthened. "I very much agree that Hong Kong has a national nucleic acid test. This is what I hope to be able to do. Of course, it is not cheap. The mainland is now at least 60 yuan for a test. Hong Kong is still relatively expensive, at more than 1,000 Hong Kong dollars."
Does Hong Kong have to adopt such strict measures? Zhong Nanshan believes that Hong Kong has its own characteristics. It has a high population density. If the same measures as Beijing are adopted, it will have some impact on economic development. In addition, compared with the Mainland, Hong Kong has cultural differences.
"As far as I know, people in Hong Kong are tested voluntarily, and Hong Kong's habits and culture are based on voluntariness." Zhong Nanshan said, "But in my opinion, to a certain extent, if the epidemic continues to develop, it should be required. Everyone went for nucleic acid testing. The citizens must voluntarily cooperate. This is very important. In Beijing, everyone consciously gritted their teeth together and overcame more than 20 days. It was all right after that. Although those few days were uncomfortable, but This is to cut off the source of infection faster."
If Hong Kong needs it, we will go all out
Zhong Nanshan said that the main problem in Hong Kong is not medical problems, but prevention and control problems. Hong Kong must resolutely crack down on those who deliberately come out to make troubles and engage in gatherings during difficult times and during the extraordinary period of epidemic prevention and control, because this is related to the lives of 7.5 million people.
Zhong Nanshan hopes to strengthen the prevention and control exchanges between the Mainland and Hong Kong. "After the outbreak, I myself probably communicated with experts from more than 40 countries and regions. I remember that during the fight against SARS, I often went to Hong Kong to communicate. Although there are some different views and political opinions, this should not be at all. It prevents everyone from reaching agreement on the prevention and control of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, because for any country, guaranteeing life safety and physical health are the highest human rights, especially in this period, the epidemic should be the first priority."
Zhong Nanshan said: "Recently, the central government stated that once Hong Kong has a demand, it will not hesitate and fully support it. We have always actively supported the fight against the epidemic in any place. This is especially true for Hong Kong's support, because Hong Kong is itself. Of course, his family should actively support."