President visits outbreak epicenter, expresses condolences to families of people who died
President Xi Jinping greets self-quarantined residents in Wuhan, Hubei province, during a visit on March 10 to the Donghu Xincheng (East Lake New City) residential community as part of his inspection of coronavirus prevention and control measures in the city, the epicenter of the outbreak. (XIE HUANCHI / XINHUA)
President Xi Jinping said on March 10 that prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak remains the top priority and most important task, even amid the recent positive signs.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark during his inspection tour in the outbreak’s epicenter, Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.
The spread of the novel coronavirus has been basically curbed in Hubei and Wuhan, Xi said, adding that initial success has been made in stabilizing the situation and turning the tide in the province and its capital.
Xi encouraged local residents and frontline workers to make firm, solid and meticulous prevention and control efforts to defend Hubei and Wuhan and resolutely fight for victory in the war against the disease.
He praised local medical workers, medical teams from other provinces, People’s Liberation Army commanders and soldiers, community workers, police officers, officials and volunteers for their bravery and hard work in the prevention and control of the disease.
Xi spoke highly of the sacrifice and contributions made by Wuhan people in the grave battle against the disease, saying their persistence and efforts led to the progress of prevention and control work.
With their concrete actions, Wuhan people have demonstrated the strength and spirit of China, as well as the Chinese people’s love for the family and the nation, which enables them to stick together through thick and thin, Xi said.
Calling Wuhan a heroic city and Wuhan’s residents heroic people, Xi said they will be remembered in history for the final victory against the disease, and the whole Party and nation are deeply moved by the people of Wuhan.
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended greetings to the medical workers, the PLA commanders and soldiers, community workers, police officers, officials and volunteers.
He also expressed sympathy to the patients and the family members of the patients and the victims, and expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the outbreak.
Xi paid great attention to the local prevention and control work in Hubei, and he went straight to Huoshenshan Hospital immediately after his arrival in Wuhan on the morning of March 10. The hospital is a 1,000-bed temporary facility built in just 10 days to treat patients.
He learned about the hospital’s operations, treatment of patients, protection for medical workers and scientific research. He complimented medical workers for their great contributions to the prevention and control of the disease in Wuhan.
The military medical workers have remained faithful to the PLA’s mission, answered the call rapidly and fought bravely against the disease, Xi said. The medical workers are the messengers of brightness and hope, and they are the real heroes, he added.
Xi had a video talk with doctors and asked about their work and medical supplies. The frontline staff members have worked hard and suffered unimaginable pressure both physically and mentally, he said.
Xi urged the relevant authorities to guarantee the supply of protective materials and daily necessities, implement payment and subsidy policies, and take measures to protect medical workers’ interests as soon as possible.
Among all the prevention and control measures taken by the CPC Central Committee, how to protect more people from being infected has always been the biggest concern, Xi said. He encouraged the patients to be confident in their recovery.
While meeting with representatives of medical workers from Hubei, the military and other provinces at the hospital, Xi said the spread of the disease has been basically curbed thanks to the efforts made by the whole Party, nation and society.
Noting that the prevention and control efforts have entered a crucial period, Xi told the medical workers to fight on.
After leaving the hospital, he went to the Donghu Xincheng residential community and greeted people who were quarantined in their homes.
He learned about the community’s efforts in epidemic prevention and control and in ensuring supplies of daily necessities. Xi also expressed his gratitude to community residents and frontline workers.
Xi presided over a meeting on the prevention and control of the disease after he wrapped up his visit to the community.
The CPC Central Committee has supported Hubei and Wuhan in taking the most comprehensive and strict measures to curb the spread of the disease since its outbreak, he said.
