• The epidemic continues to rise and develop in Sanya, Hainan province

Zhou Changqiang, Party Secretary and Director of Hainan Provincial Health Commission: From 00:00 to 12:00 on August 8, 23 confirmed cases were reported in Sanya, including 11 asymptomatic cases. This is just a phase number. Because the nucleic acid is generally carried out in the morning, from the sampling to the transfer of samples to the results, it takes a long time. So the figure up to 12 o 'clock does not mean that Sanya has seen a significant improvement in the epidemic situation. The epidemic situation in Sanya is still rising and developing in the past few days. It is not possible to judge the change of the epidemic situation based on the number of new infected persons as of 12 PM on August 8. It may take several days or rounds of nucleic acid testing before an objective evaluation can be made.

The epidemic in Hainan has spread to 13 cities and counties in the province. How to assess the situation in Hainan?

(1) Overall, the epidemic situation in Hainan is still in the rising stage of rapid development. At present, the epidemic situation in Sanya continues to increase. In addition, several cities and counties in the island also have spread, and the spillover risk still exists. This is expected to be Hainan's most challenging battle since the outbreak of COVID-19.

(2) From the perspective of transmission routes, the direction is relatively obvious, mainly from the sea fishing boats to Sanya, in some fishing grounds, such as fishing ports, fishermen, including the market to spread, the transmission chain is relatively clear.

(3) According to the nucleic acid detection, the transmission population was mainly radially spread in the fishing port, and the number of tourists infected was very small.

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• What challenges and pressures does Hainan face in this outbreak?

Zhou Changqiang, Party Secretary and Director of Hainan Provincial Health Commission:

① The virus is very special. It is the Omicron variant BA5.1.3, which is the first reported case in China, indicating that it was imported from abroad, with a relatively high transmission coefficient, strong occultiveness and strong transmission power.

(2) For Hainan, since the outbreak of the epidemic in 2020, Hainan has dealt with several outbreaks, especially the successful handling of Sanya and Haikou outbreaks in April and July this year, which to some extent will lead to paralysis or blind confidence among the masses and cadres.

③ We still have to admit our lack of ability. In flow regulation, nucleic acid detection, medical treatment, there are many shortcomings and weaknesses.

④ Now Hainan is in the tourist season, but I think no matter what we must face up to the difficulties, firm confidence, we will win the victory of the epidemic.