Zhong Nanshan: The epidemic reached its peak in about a week or 10 days, and will not increase on a large scale.

Chinese health authorities Monday said it received reports of 3,062 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 97 deaths on Sunday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

Among the deaths, 91 were in Hubei province, two in Anhui as well as one in Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Hainan and Gansu respectively, according to China’s National Health Commission.

Sunday saw 632 people walk out of the hospital after recovery, including 356 in Hubei province, the National Health Commission said in its daily report.

A total of 3,281 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery by the end of Sunday, Chinese health authorities announced Monday.

By the end of Sunday, a total of 908 people had died of the disease and 40,171 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps in China.

On January 28, Zhong Nanshan, the leader of the high-level expert group of the National Health and Medical Commission and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, accepted an interview with the media and discussed the latest views on the current situation of epidemic prevention and control:

It’s hard to predict when the epidemic will reach its peak, but it may come in a week or 10 days, said Zhong Nanshan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a prominent expert in respiratory diseases. After that, the number of people infected by the novel coronavirus will not increase massively, he told Xinhua News Agency.

Ten to 14 days is a perfect window for observation. After the incubation period, those who haven’t been infected will stay healthy and those who have been infected will receive medical treatment.

So people’s migration after Spring Festival holiday won’t cause a massive spread of the disease, but control measures must continue, he added.

There have been reports that early symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease don’t include common symptoms of respiratory diseases, such as fever and cough. Zhong said having a fever is still among the most common symptoms of novel coronavirus disease.

Zhong also said so far there is no targeted drug for the novel coronavirus disease, but scientists and medical experts have thought of some ways to fight it. “With the help of life supporting technologies, the fatality rate will definitely drop,” he said.

Zhong stressed that the most effective way to control the epidemic is early identification and quarantine of those infected.

“I urged people to stay put before the Spring Festival holiday. I still believe people shouldn’t travel, especially those who are from Wuhan. It’s not only a personal choice, but also something that matters to society.”

He said with the support of people around the country, Wuhan can surely get through the epidemic.

● Remember the protection tips:

Wear masks properly and protect them, especially in confined spaces (such as elevators)

Cover the toilet when flushing

  Open more windows, pay attention to ventilation

  Don’t go to crowded places

  Wash your hands frequently and don’t spit

  Strict home isolation