Daily US Times, Beijing: Top Chinese leadership acknowledged “shortcomings and deficiencies” in the country’s response to the deadly Coronavirus outbreak.
After holding a meeting amid Coronavirus emergencies, the Politburo Standing Committee said the national emergency management system had to improve.
An order has been issued to crack down on wildlife markets, where the virus emerged.
The country has been suffering severe outbreak since last month as more than 20,000 cases and 425 deaths had been reported in China – an increase of more than 3,000 confirmed cases in a single day.
China’s National Health Commission confirmed 64 deaths on Monday alone. All the death had reported in Hubei province, where the virus is believed to have originated.
Death from Coronavirus in mainland China ow exceeds the 349 killed in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak of 2002-03. But the mortality rate of the new virus is much lower than SARS, which suggests it is not as deadly.
There have been more than 150 cases reported outside of China, while the first death reported in the Philippines. The virus causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms seem to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.
On Monday, a Chinese virologist published a study where he said a pneumonia outbreak associated with the Coronavirus had likely started in bats.
What did the Politburo say?
The Politburo Standing Committee, the top Chinese leadership group chaired by President Xi Jinping.
Xinhua news agency reports that the committee said lessons had to be learned from what had been a “big test” of China’s governance system.
“In response to the shortcomings and deficiencies that were exposed responding to this epidemic, we must improve our national emergency management system and improve our abilities in handling urgent and dangerous tasks,” the report said.
The committee said illegal wildlife trade should be tackled and should be “resolutely banned”, while supervision of markets should be strengthened.
It is thought that the virus originated from a wildlife market in Hubei province. On Monday, a Chinese virologist published a study where he confirmed it.
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