Guangzhou reports 3,371 new COVID-19 cases

On the afternoon of December 6, Guangzhou held a COVID-19 Prevention and Control Press Conference to brief the latest epidemic situation in the city.

On December 4, Guangzhou reported 3,371 locally acquired COVID-19 cases. Meantime, 7,828 people were discharged from (makeshift) hospitals, among the total 94,834 discharged since the outbreak of this round of epidemic.

Zhang Yi, Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Health Commission, introduced that Guangzhou is implementing the requirements of the COVID-19 Response Plan (Version No.9) and the 20 optimized measures for epidemic prevention and control by strengthening the protection of key and vulnerable groups, constantly optimizing PCR testing and accurately conducting epidemic monitoring.

Medical treatment: green health codes shall be presented for General Outpatient and Emergency at all medical institutions at all levels in the city; 24-hour negative PCR test results are required for newly admitted inpatients and their companions; PCR test results are also required at fever clinics.

Travel: 48-hour negative PCR test results shall be presented when travelling by plane, high-speed railway, train, cross-province long-distance passenger coach and passenger ship and other means of transportation; PCR tests upon arrival shall be conducted for people coming (returning) to Guangzhou from other provinces.

Key venues (institutions) and key groups: Key venues like elderly care institutions, welfare institutions, maternal and infant care institutions where vulnerable groups gather with high risks of cluster outbreaks are still under closed-off management, and 24-hour negative PCR test results shall be presented to enter these venues; PCR tests shall be conducted at a frequency determined by the COVID-19 Response Plan (Version No.9) for key groups of people with risk of exposure like those work in express delivery, port transportation, and people in high-risk areas.

Zhang  said that Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission has required medical institutions capable of setting up Internet hospitals to constantly enrich online resources for diagnosis and treatment, proactively conducting online consultation, and improving the drug delivery mechanism. Residents with non-urgent medical needs are encouraged to go to the Internet hospitals or the nearest local medical and health institutions. Since October 20, the Internet hospitals in Guangzhou have provided medical services to 270,700 people, issued 15,300 e-prescriptions, and delivered drugs to patients by express delivery.

Wang Ming, former Director of Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention and a chief physician of epidemiology (Grade 2), said that the coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose in Guangzhou has exceeded 92%, which has curbed virus spread and symptom occurrence, laying a solid foundation for Guangzhou's epidemic prevention and control. It has proven that vaccination is the most effective approach to prevent COVID-19.

The three types of COVID-19 vaccines applied in China, namely, inactivated vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, and adenovirus vector vaccines, have been proven to be safe, according to Wang. Their major adverse reactions are soreness at the injection site and some common symptoms of vaccination such as low-grade fever and fatigue, which can be relieved by resting and drinking water. Moreover, an inhaled COVID-19 vaccine has just been launched, which is free from the pain of injection. Senior residents should not be too worried about adverse reactions when getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Lu Qiwen, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Committee and Deputy Head of Liwan District, said that recently, Liwan District has taken comprehensive measures to alleviate difficulties for enterprises and relieve production and business stress for small and medium-sized enterprises. A bank-enterprise coordination platform has been established and has facilitated loan balances of over RMB 19.13 billion for enterprises in the district from financial institutions. Enterprises have received prompt assistance in addressing business obstacles and smoothing logistics. Efforts have also been put in promoting the recovery of the culture and tourism industries and ensuring the construction of the Greater Bay Area Art Center in Bai'etan, which is scheduled to be put into operation by the end of next year. So far, 1,622 enterprises that meet four designated standards, over 4,200 catering businesses, 28,700 wholesalers and retailers, 121 specialized markets, 59 village-level industrial parks, 52 municipal-level key projects, and 131 district key projects in Liwan District have resumed work and production.

As the aged population occupies 29.3% of the total population in Liwan District, Lu urged senior residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible and join forces to build community immunity.

Share - WeChat