Xi Jinping: "COVID-19 Prevention Situation Improving"... New Deaths Drop to 29 (Summary)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the COVID-19 prevention situation has improved, the number of new COVID-19 deaths in China has dropped to the lowest level in the past month. The number of people who tested positive but have recovered and been discharged has also surpassed 30,000, which is being interpreted as a positive sign within China.

◆ COVID-19 Additional Deaths 'Plummet'... Discharges Surpass 30,000 = On the 26th, China reported 29 new deaths and 433 new confirmed cases in one day due to the COVID-19 outbreak, bringing the cumulative total to 2,744 deaths and 78,497 confirmed cases.

On the 27th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases nationwide was 433. Among the 433 new cases, 409 were in Hubei Province. The number of new confirmed cases has remained below 500 for two consecutive days.

The number of new deaths was recorded at 29. Twenty-six deaths occurred in Hubei Province, and one death each was reported in Beijing, Heilongjiang Province, and Henan Province. The number of new deaths has dropped to the lowest level in a month since 26 deaths were recorded on the 28th of last month.

So far, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China is 78,497. Among them, 32,495 have recovered and been discharged, and 2,744 have died. Currently, 43,258 confirmed patients are isolated and receiving treatment in hospitals. However, 8,346 are classified as severe cases, so the death toll may continue to rise for the time being.

The number of people with suspected COVID-19 symptoms is 2,358. The number of close contacts of patients is 652,174, of whom 71,572 are under medical observation. Outside mainland China, in the Greater China region, a total of 133 confirmed cases have been reported: Hong Kong 91 (24 discharged, 2 deaths), Macau 10 (7 discharged), and Taiwan 32 (5 discharged, 1 death).

Chinese state media focused on the fact that the cumulative number of discharged patients surpassed 30,000, emphasizing a mood of overcoming rather than fear caused by the COVID-19 spread. Even on the previous day, when new confirmed cases and deaths were 406 and 52 respectively, Chinese state media optimistically reported that 26 provinces and cities reported 'zero' new confirmed cases, the number of new confirmed cases outside Hubei Province was only five, and there were 'zero' new deaths outside Hubei Province.

◆ Xi Jinping: "COVID-19 Prevention Situation Improving" = China judges that the COVID-19 outbreak is showing signs of stabilization and is preparing for economic normalization.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated at the Chinese Communist Party Central Politburo Standing Committee meeting, the highest leadership meeting, the day before, "The situation in Hubei Province and Wuhan remains complicated, and there is still a risk of infection increasing again in other regions," but also said, "China's COVID-19 prevention situation has improved."

At the meeting, President Xi emphasized, "We must concentrate capabilities and resources on strengthening COVID-19 prevention in Hubei Province and Wuhan City," and ordered, "Firmly control the source of infection and block transmission routes." He added, "We must secure victory in the people's war, total war, and blockade war against the infectious disease to realize a comprehensive Xiaokang (a moderately prosperous society where all people enjoy a comfortable and affluent life) society and achieve poverty alleviation goals."

The closing remarks of President Xi's speech at the meeting were decorated with the theme of 'the role of a responsible major power.' With the improvement in the COVID-19 prevention situation providing some breathing room, President Xi said, "Strengthening international cooperation for epidemic prevention is both the role of a responsible major power and a demonstration of promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind." He added, "We must continue to cooperate closely with the World Health Organization and strengthen communication with relevant countries to share (China's) prevention experience."