03:46China: Beijing takes action as COVID threatens tourism hotspots of Sanya and Tibet
China’s National Health Commission reported rapid COVID-19 outbreaks in the tourism hotspots of both Sanya, Hainan, and in Tibet, during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
"Since August [of this year], a total of nine provinces have reported more than 100 cases of local covid infection. Among them, there are more than 2,000 cases reported in Hainan Province. At present, the epidemic situation in Sanya, Hainan is still in a stage of rapid progress," said National Health Commission spokesperson, Mi Feng.
On Saturday, the Sanya officials locked down the city of a million people, including some 80,000 tourists. Public transportation was suspended, with only the emergency services allowed to move around the city.
Officials said the outbreak in the region, known as 'China’s Hawaii', was unexpected, but a fast response team was on the way.
"We quickly co-ordinated the national medical force and nucleic acid testing resources to increase support to Hainan. We have sent more than 10,000 medical and health workers from 19 provinces across the country," said Guo Yanhong, a National Health Department official.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, authorities were also struggling as the region has only seen a single case before the current outbreak.
"Tibet lacks experience in dealing with the epidemic, said Guo Yanhong. "In order to strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in Tibet, national health commission has sent a working group and led national experts, including experts in inspection, epidemiological investigation, treatment, and community epidemic prevention and control."
03:46China’s National Health Commission reported rapid COVID-19 outbreaks in the tourism hotspots of both Sanya, Hainan, and in Tibet, during a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
"Since August [of this year], a total of nine provinces have reported more than 100 cases of local covid infection. Among them, there are more than 2,000 cases reported in Hainan Province. At present, the epidemic situation in Sanya, Hainan is still in a stage of rapid progress," said National Health Commission spokesperson, Mi Feng.
On Saturday, the Sanya officials locked down the city of a million people, including some 80,000 tourists. Public transportation was suspended, with only the emergency services allowed to move around the city.
Officials said the outbreak in the region, known as 'China’s Hawaii', was unexpected, but a fast response team was on the way.
"We quickly co-ordinated the national medical force and nucleic acid testing resources to increase support to Hainan. We have sent more than 10,000 medical and health workers from 19 provinces across the country," said Guo Yanhong, a National Health Department official.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, authorities were also struggling as the region has only seen a single case before the current outbreak.
"Tibet lacks experience in dealing with the epidemic, said Guo Yanhong. "In order to strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in Tibet, national health commission has sent a working group and led national experts, including experts in inspection, epidemiological investigation, treatment, and community epidemic prevention and control."