“The epidemic situation is still severe and complex, the most severe challenge since SARS in 2003, and is likely to develop into a major public health event,” the memo cites Ma as saying. The AP confirmed the contents with two other sources in public health familiar with the teleconference. The National Health Commission also distributed a 63-page set of instructions to provincial health officials, obtained by the AP. The instructions ordered health officials nationwide to identify suspected cases, hospitals to open fever clinics, and doctors and nurses to don protective gear. The delay may support accusations by President Donald Trump that the Chinese government’s secrecy held back the world’s response to the virus.

Source: The Standard April 15, 2020 08:26 UTC