Coronavirus Outbreak in China
Coronavirus Outbreak in China
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak started in Wuhan at the end of 2019 and it has since spread rapidly throughout the world. As of February 27th 2020, 78,630 people had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in China, and 2,747 people have died from the infectious disease in China.
This article summarizes the key events during the outbreak and the regulations and policies which the Chinese government has since issued to contain and prevent the spread of the virus.
l Dec.30th, 2019
Several people with close connections to the Wuhan South China Seafood Market were diagnosed with a new type of pneumonia.
l Dec. 31st, 2019
Wuhan Health Committee started reporting a new virus outbreak on its web site and it confirmed 27 cases which tested positive of the virus and with symptoms for the disease. The expert team designated by National Health Commission arrived in Wuhan.
A new type of pneumonia outbreak situation in Wuhan, reported by Wuhan Health Commission
l Jan. 18th to 19th, 2020
136 people were diagnosed with the new pneumonia. On January 19, 2020, other parts of China started to report patients infected with the virus.
l Jan. 20th, 2020
The experts at the National Health Commission of China declared that the virus could be transmitted from person-to-person. The National Health Commission of China made an announcement classifying COVID-19 as Class II infectious disease but stating that Class I infectious disease control measures must be applied.
Announcement of the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China
l Jan.21st, 2020
The National Health Commission of China published the total number of infected cases, including cases confirmed with tests as well as suspected cases, for all 31 provinces in the country. Face masks were out of stock across China.
l Jan 23rd, 2020
At 10:00AM, City of Wuhan started the city wide lock-down. Buses, subways, ferries, and long-distance transportation were suspended, airports and railway stations were all closed.
l Jan 23rd to 24th, 2020
By 9:00PM, 14 provinces and municipalities declared Class I Public Health Emergency Response which triggered strict inspection at public areas, cancelling large scale public events, and establishing quarantine stations at public area etc.
By 9:00PM on January 24th, several regions in China declared Class I Pubic Health Emergency Response
l Jan 25th, 2020
The National Health Commission of China issued the "Notice on Strengthening the Control of CVOID-19 Epidemic in Community", requiring communities to conduct proactive measures to prevent and stop the spread of the virus.
l Jan 26th, 2020
The General Office of the State Council announced that the 2020 Spring Festival holiday would be extended.
Notice on Extending the 2020 Spring Festival Holiday by the General Office of the State Council
l Late January 2020
By the end of January, every province and municipalities made announcements extending the 2020 spring festival holiday and postponing school opening dates. The announcements also made businesses responsible for the prevention and control of the virus spread in the workplace, improving health inspection and protection of the employees, and having sufficient facilities and resources to address the incidents etc. Some regions also required business to obtain permits before resuming production.
Schedule for Business and School Re-opening
l Jan 28th, 2020
The Ministry of Emergency Management of China issued the "Notice on Public Health Protection Under Current Situation", requiring all organizations and universities the following:
1. Companies and universities shall have and implement adequate plans and procedures for preventing and controlling the spread of Coronavirus prior to resuming operation.
2. Organizations must improve management of all high risk areas, such as laboratories and dangerous goods storage warehouses etc.; and increase awareness among staff and students
3. Organizations must strengthen emergency response mechanisms, strictly implement having leadership on emergency duty calls during all shifts.
l Feb 1st, 2020
The National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention issued "Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of New Coronaviruses (First Edition)" with recommendations for the control and prevention of coronavirus pneumonia infection to sensitive populations (elderly, children, students) and at specific places (kindergartens, nursing homes, offices, home isolation, public places and vehicles).
l Feb 5th, 2020
The State Council issued “Guidance on Hygiene Protection of Pneumonia Infected by New Coronavirus in Public Places”, specifying the requirements for health protection in public places and workplaces, including disinfection, ventilation, and personal protection etc.
（Picture from：Health China）
l Feb 7th, 2020
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued“Circular for Supporting Production Resumption during New Coronavirus Outbreak”, requiring local government to support companies solving operation issues during virus infection outbreaks, such as labor issues, employee income disputes and other financial burdens.
l Feb 16th, 2020
COVID-19 cases were found in several companies after they resumed operation:
l Feb 24th, 2020
Seven provinces lowered the level of emergency response for public health:
l Feb 25th, 2020
The National Health Commission of China issued "Notice on Proper Prevention and Control of CVIOD-19 Epidemic " to clarify the technical requirements for epidemic prevention and control in various places.
As of 9 am on February 27, the diagnosed and suspected CVIOD-19 case data is shown below
（Picture from：丁香园公众号）
Conclusion
From December 30th 2019 to February 25th 2020, Chinese government issued numerous regulations/policies on the prevention and control of COVID-19 and resuming business operations. As the epidemic situation improved, the Chinese government is shifting its focus from solely on controlling the spread of the virus to both prevention and control of the spread of the virus and getting businesses back to production. How business prevent and control the coronavirus in the workplaces is critical for the ultimate success in winning the battle against the virus in China.