Speakers:
Xu Nanping, vice minister of science and technology
Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission
Chen Shifei, deputy head of the National Medical Products Administration
Zhou Qi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wang Fusheng, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, spokesperson of the State Council Information Office
Date:
Feb. 21, 2020
Hu Kaihong:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council. We have invited Mr. Xu Nanping, vice minister of science and technology; Mr. Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission (NHC); Mr. Chen Shifei, deputy head of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA); Mr. Zhou Qi and Mr. Wang Fusheng, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). They will explain the role of scientific and technological innovation in supporting the prevention and control of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as answer any questions you might have.
First, I will give the floor to Mr. Xu.
Xu Nanping:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to media friends for their long-term concern and support for the pursuit of scientific and technological breakthroughs. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China's scientific and technological community has conscientiously implemented the important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in regard to stepped-up efforts to make related scientific and technological breakthroughs. With the urgent needs of the people in mind, we have achieved positive progress in this regard.
First, we have determined "what should be done." To reach the objective of "making the COVID-19 more preventable and treatable" and meet the pressing needs for epidemic control, we have given priority to five areas, namely etiology and epidemiology, testing technology and products, drugs and clinical treatment, vaccine development, as well as development of animal testing models.
Second, we have decided "who should do it." Focusing on the main tasks, we have given full play to the role of major research institutions, including the CAS, the Academy of Military Sciences of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We have mobilized universities, institutes and enterprises to participate in the endeavor, while keeping close interaction with front-line medical institutions. We have organized elite scientific and technological personnel drawn from all over the country to operate "as on a single chessboard" in vigorously pursuing breakthroughs.
Third, we have clarified "how to do it." The Leading Group of the CPC Central Committee on Novel Coronavirus Prevention and Control and the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council are coordinating the efforts to make scientific and technological breakthroughs. Vice Premier Liu He leads on the frontline, emphasizing that we should make result-oriented efforts, aim for appropriate applications, and combine scientific research with clinical treatment and epidemic control. He has throughout demanded that a specialized team be set up to carry out work based on a clear road map as in "wartime," with each member shouldering a specific responsibility and racing against time to advance major tasks such as drug screening and vaccine development. We have enhanced collaboration between different departments to facilitate coordination in scientific research and outcome approval. When handling special issues, we adopt a flexible approach while complying with relevant laws and regulations. In addition, we have sought to improve our services, actively helping to solve practical problems for scientific and technological personnel on the frontline.
Fourth, we defined "the level on which we should achieve progress." Faced with severe challenges caused by the outbreak, we have achieved positive progress in the pursuit of scientific and technological breakthroughs. This is attributed to the selfless dedication of scientific and technological personnel, the cumulative scientific and technological advances of our country, and close cooperation between various departments.
Xu Nanping:
In regard to etiology and epidemiology, we have isolated novel coronavirus strains in a timely way, and shared the genetic sequence with the World Health Organization, paving the way for the development of diagnostic techniques, drugs and vaccines. We have deepened research into the routes and means of transmission, offering scientific support for optimizing prevention and control measures.
In terms of drugs and clinical treatment, we have accelerated studies on "three kinds of drugs (or treatments) and three versions of the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment scheme." Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is proving effective in preventing mild cases from worsening into severe ones. Methods combining TCM and Western medicine has been included in the third version of the scheme. Antiviral treatment using Chloroquine Phosphate for patients with mild and ordinary symptoms has been included in the sixth version. Therapy using plasma of cured patients for patients in a severe condition has been included in the fifth version.
Regarding the vaccine, we have been pushing forward related research using various technological approaches. Some vaccines should be able to begin clinical trials as early as late April. So far, vaccine research in China is basically on par with that in in other countries.
Regarding the R&D of testing reagents, in addition to the nucleic acid tests developed in the early days of the outbreak, we are also accelerating the development of rapid, highly sensitive, easy-to-use test products.
In terms of animal testing models, we have finished building ones involving rats and monkeys contracting the new coronavirus, laying the ground for studying various drugs screening, vaccine R&D and virus transmission mechanisms.
It has been a month since the research team was established. It is a very short period for any scientific study, but painfully long for patients who are struggling with the disease. The science and technology community in China gives priority to people's lives and health above all, doing its utmost to deliver effective sci-tech results, in order to relieve the pain and burden of the country and its people.
Hu Kaihong:
Thank you. Now the floor is open for questions.
CCTV:
Is there a slowing trend in new confirmed cases? Have we arrived at a turning point of this outbreak or not? The numbers of new confirmed cases recently released by the National Health Commission show a decline in places other than Hubei province, so does that mean prevention and control of the outbreak has turned for the better across the country? Thank you.
Zeng Yixin:
Since the outbreak, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have paid close attention to this, and General Secretary Xi Jinping has made arrangements and given directions personally. Medical personnel throughout the country are working their utmost, and all walks of life in China offer vigorous support. Therefore, as you said, the prevention and control work of the outbreak has made significant progress and showed positive signs. I have listed six sets of numbers here, which can be summarized as four decreases, one increase, and a zero report in some provincial-level regions. This will give you a better understanding of the trend of the outbreak.
The first decrease is in the number of confirmed cases. This gradually dropped from the highest level of all, 15,152 reached on Feb. 12, to less than 900 on Feb. 20. The second decrease is in the number of new confirmed cases in all provincial-level regions except Hubei. That number dropped from the highest level of 890 on Feb. 3 to 258 on Feb. 20. The third decrease is in cities throughout Hubei, except for Wuhan. The number of new confirmed cases in these cities dropped from the highest level of 1,404 reached on Feb. 12 to less than 400 on Feb. 20. The fourth decrease is in Wuhan itself. There, the number of new confirmed cases dropped from the highest level of 3,910 reached on Feb. 13 to less than 400 on Feb. 20. As to the "one increase," this relates to the number of newly recovered patients discharged from hospitals, which is rapidly growing across China, surpassing the number of new confirmed cases for three consecutive days since Feb. 18. On Feb. 20, newly recovered patients throughout the country outnumbered new confirmed cases by 1,220. Those in 30 provincial-level regions of China and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is either on par with or has surpassed the number of new confirmed cases in the relevant area. These are prominent signs of improvement.
As to zero report, that means the number of provincial-level regions reporting no new confirmed cases is gradually increasing. Tibet Autonomous Region has reported no new confirmed case since Jan. 30. And as of Feb. 20, 14 provincial-level regions (such as Inner Mongolia and Liaoning) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps had reported no new confirmed cases. Among them, Qinghai has maintained this for 15 consecutive days, Liaoning, Guizhou, Gansu and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for four straight days, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has for three consecutive days.
The concepts of the four "drops," one "increase" and "zero reported cases" in some provinces are information I would like to share with you. I also want to add that the number of suspected cases has declined significantly. The number of suspected cases outside Hubei province nationwide has been declining daily, from 2,211 on Feb. 6 to 335 on Feb. 20. At the same time, the number of people under medical observation has also been gradually declining, from 190,000 on Feb. 7 to 120,000 on Feb. 19.
We can tell from these numbers that the overall situation is gradually improving, and the outbreak is under control, as several provinces have reported no new confirmed cases. However, newly-reported deaths are still at a high level in Hubei province and Wuhan city, so we need to continue treating the situation very seriously.
We must take science-based, targeted and tiered principles, and advance epidemic control and prevention from the county to the national level, and step up our efforts to restore social and economic order. We will strictly prevent the resurgence of the outbreak, and win the "people's war" against the epidemic. Thank you.
Bloomberg:
I have two questions. Why was it decided that the clinical diagnosis category for new infections was no longer needed for Hubei province? Does that mean that all new cases of infection in Hubei were confirmed using nucleic acid tests? And, after removing the clinical diagnosis category, why did the number of new cases decrease so much from almost 1,700 on Feb. 18 to 349 on Feb. 19? Thank you. And my second question is what kind of progress are you having with trials of new treatment and drugs for the coronavirus? There was some initial success with Gilead's Remdesivir. Is there any progress with that drug? And if there is, what might the next step be? Thank you very much.
Zeng Yixin:
Thanks for your question. I can see that you have a strong concern about diagnosis of the epidemic. Regarding your question, Mr. Wang Guiqiang, director of Infectious Disease Department of Peking University's No. 1 Hospital, has made a thorough explanation at the joint prevention and control mechanism briefing yesterday. Let me ask you to refer to that answer. Thank you.
Xu Nanping:
Thanks for your question. Regarding the research and development of medicines, it is something that the public and the media are following very closely. I would like to cover this question from two aspects. First is the overall situation of medicine research and development. We all know that medicine R&D involves a lot of time, but the situation is pressing under the present circumstances. Still, we must insist on the principle of "safety, effectiveness and guaranteed supply." We are making selections from the existing drugs already circulating or undergoing clinical trials, while ensuring drug safety. The question actually has something to do with drug supply. A drug is not helpful if it cannot be put into full production, no matter how good is has been proven to be. So, our medicine R&D will strictly follow the principle that I've mentioned.
A new drug has to go through five stages before it can be used to treat the virus: Phase one is primary screening. Experts, based on their experience as well as relevant pharmaceutical theories and methods, will propose and screen some drugs that might be effective for tackling the virus. Phase two involves in-vitro experiments. We will conduct anti-viral experiments in vitro to confirm whether the medicine can be effective. If these experiments confirm effectiveness, we will carry out small-scale clinical research in phase three to further test safety and effectiveness. If phase three is successful, we will conduct large-scale clinical trials for further confirmation. For the medicine with positive trial results, through certain procedures, we will recommend it be included in treatment protocols.
What I am introducing to you today is the latest progress being made. At the previous press conference, the Ministry of Science and Technology introduced the "three medicines and three therapy plans". Three medicines have been included in the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment scheme, indicating that doctors have an option to use these medicines. The first is the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which was included in the 3rd edition of the diagnosis and treatment scheme, then improved in the fourth, fifth, and sixth editions. Now, it looks to be having very good effect. TCM has been used in the treatment for more than 60,000 confirmed cases accounting for more than 85% of the national total. In general, the TCM treatment has certain effects, and the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has proved to be very effective.
The second is chloroquine phosphate, which has already come to market. After five stages of research, it was tested in 135 cases in Beijing and Guangdong province. There is a phenomenon worthy of our attention: in the treatments of 130 patients with light and ordinary symptoms; so far, we found no case has changed from showing light or ordinary symptoms to developing severe ones. The other five patients with severe symptoms were treated, among whom four were discharged, and one was identified as ordinary status. Generally speaking, the effect is good. Now, chloroquine phosphate has been included in the 6th edition of the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment scheme. We hope to further summarize the efficacy on the basis of larger-scale application.
The third is the therapy of convalescent plasma, which was included in the fifth edition of the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment scheme, and in the sixth edition, it further clarifies that the therapy is suitable for patients with rapid disease progression, as well as severely and critically ill patients.
Another three medicines are undergoing clinical trials. The first is favipiravir. Eighty controlled trials have been conducted in Shenzhen. According to current observations, the effects are good. Experts suggest that the trials be further expanded to examine the treatment effect on patients. The second is stem cell therapy. Four patients with severe symptoms have been discharged after receiving such treatment, and clinical trials will be expanded. The third is remdesivir, as just mentioned by the reporter. In-vitro tests performed by scientists have shown good inhibitory effect on the virus. We contacted Gilead through relevant institutions, and now there are 10 hospitals in Wuhan participating in clinical trials. More than 200 severely and critically ill patients are now enrolled in the trials, and more than 30 patients with mild symptoms and ordinary patients as well. So, if you want to ask the result, I am, just like everyone, looking forward to it very much. Since it is a double-blind clinical trial, I know just as much as everyone else. Just now, the reporter also asked, if the effect is good, what will we do? We have always maintained good communication with Gilead. If the effect is good, we will work with Gilead to find out an appropriate method of medicine supply with top priority given to the people's interests. Thank you.
Chen Shifei:
Thanks for the questions from the foreign reporter. I will answer the question about the progress of emergency drug approval of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Since the outbreak, the NMPA has resolutely implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and carried out scientific, orderly and precise emergency approval work of drugs for prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. First, the emergency review and approval mechanism was initiated in accordance with the law, and an expert team with academicians as its core was established. The expert team includes well-known domestic experts from various aspects of pharmacy, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical practice. We have decided the working principles of unified command, early intervention, review upon arrival, and scientific approval. Second, we quickly convened forces of review experts to formulate technical guidelines for the development of anti-COVID-19 drugs and requirements for safe and effective drug development. We actively connect with and serve the medicine research and development entities to help accelerate and improve the drug research and development.
Third, we firmly take the safety and effectiveness of drugs as the fundamental. And we must respect science. At the same time, we must create innovative methods of review and approval. For drugs of high maturity and drugs with a solid foundation of previous development works, we have conducted parallel review and examination, inspection and test, and fast-track approval, providing drug guarantee for the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.
The data from clinical treatment has revealed that many safe and effective chemical medicines and traditional Chinese medicines have been listed in the frontline medical treatment plan against the epidemic. These include both widely prescribed pharmaceuticals prepared and used by medical organizations and several anti-viral chemical medicines and Chinese patent medicines that have been approved by the National Medical Products Administration to hit the market. It is known that over 80 traditional Chinese medicines have been prescribed in the epidemic treatment so far. These have been proved effective in the medical practice.
Besides, we gave clinical trial permissions to five new medicines to treat COVID-19. All of them were approved in accordance with safety requirements and proved effective in dealing with various cases, and they were all quality guaranteed and were provided with accelerated approval procedures. These trials have been well processed now. There are also medicines that were used in non-COVID-19 indications applied to the program of achieving a breakthrough in our research. Some of them have completed the research phase, so we put them into a prioritized group for examination and approval procedures. We have speeded up the permission work to ensure their safe availability for frontline clinical treatment solutions.
The National Medical Products Administration attaches great importance to research and development of vaccines. We set up a group with specialists and assigned them with different scientific research groups to carry forward the key vaccine projects. During this special period, the evaluation team is providing direct instructions to help with and follow up the research and development progress. For medicines and vaccines that are safe and quality controllable, the National Medical Products Administration will work against time to complete the evaluation and authorize them immediately for fighting COVID-19. I want to emphasize that we pay great attention to quality management of the clinical trials and we make any efforts to protect those patients' rights. We want to guarantee that results of the trials are accurate and reliable. We also reinforce supervision on the medicines and medical devices for epidemic prevention and control, crackdown on illegal activities of selling fake products and ensure the medical products' safety and quality.
For the next step, the National Medical Products Administration will continue to closely trace the development of the epidemic and follow the requirements of its prevention and control. We will also conduct a follow-up of developments in new scientific researches and get prepared for examination and approval procedures of the prioritized programs. And we will try our best to win this battle against the epidemic. Thank you.
Southern Metropolis Daily:
We know that some experts say COVID-19 is a self-limiting disease. Does that mean the patients with mild symptoms can stay at home and take drugs by themselves? How should we view a self-limiting disease? Thanks.
Wang Fusheng:
A self-limiting disease is an academic term. It means that infected human body will show symptoms of fever, coughing and a running nose. These symptoms may go away without treatment and will not cause permanent damage to the human body, or develop into chronic disease. For example, when people catch a cold, they need to take more rest, increase their liquid intake, and ensure sufficient nutrition. Without any special treatment, they could recover in about a week.
There are normally three stages for a self-limiting disease, namely incubation, progression and convalescence. In the incubation period, the virus enters the human body and replicates itself, but there are no clinical symptoms. In the progression stage, the immune system and the virus confront each other, which will cause a series of clinical symptoms, such as inflammation of the air passage. In the convalescence stage, the immune system defeats the virus, and patient will recover. Of course, a self-limiting disease doesn't mean there is no need for treatment.
In terms of COVID-19, the patients with mild and regular symptoms occupy 80% of the total clinical cases. Such patients with a better immune system can recover after a good rest and maintaining a positive mood. Even for patients with severe symptoms, with timely and proper treatment, such as taking drugs and inhaling oxygen, their immune system can also be enhanced. And the progression period will be shortened. Normally there will be no sequela, so there is no need for panic.
However, for elderly patients or those with underlying conditions, we need to pay more attention. If not, even the common cold may cause damage to their organs and bodies, and even threaten their lives. So, for COVID-19 patients with a weak immune system, we should provide extra care. They need to rest in bed as much as possible and get sufficient nutrition. Most importantly, they shouldn't be afraid of the virus and keep faith and a good mood in treatment.
It needs to be stressed that COVID-19 is highly infectious, no matter whether the patient has mild or severe symptoms, we must take the measures of quarantine and avoid contact with others as much as possible, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Thanks.
Macao Daily News:
According to media reports, many medical institutions from China and abroad are carrying out vaccine developments. So, my question is, what is the latest progress of vaccine development in China? Thank you.
Zeng Yixin:
Thanks for your interest in vaccine development. A vaccine is one of the most effective means for epidemic prevention. As we all know, several epidemic diseases, such as smallpox, polio and rabies have all been eliminated or prevented because of vaccines. In 1979, we declared smallpox a thing of the past. And in 2000, we declared victory against polio. These are all due to vaccine development. But the development of vaccine is like the development of new drugs. It takes a long time and they must pass through a succession of procedures. This was introduced already by Mr. Xu and Mr. Chen. First, we need to design and identify the active ingredients for vaccine. For example, we need the suitable virus strain to be the candidate of the vaccine. Not all of the strings can be suitable, and sometimes we need to find the key protein or genetic sequence in the virus. Then, we move on to the establishment of a manufacturing process and the management of quality control, which also need to undergo a host of experiments, including the evaluation of effectiveness and safety by using animals, in a bid to gain sufficient data to support the application for clinical trial. So, it is a relatively complex procedure. In addition, we are dealing with a new virus. Our knowledge about it is still limited, and that's why there are still uncertainties in the process of vaccine development.
China has made great progress in vaccine research and development, and possesses a group of high-level R&D teams. With the advantages of the country's whole-nation system, we have coordinated efforts to form various vaccine research and development teams. All these teams, with strong sense of mission and responsibility are giving full play to their respective advantages, working in unity and cooperation day and night to speed up their work and achieve success. On the premise of respecting science and ensuring safety, they strive to minimize the research and development time to put vaccines into use as soon as possible.
Now I would like to introduce the latest developments of vaccine research and development. Now, five technical solutions are being developed simultaneously. Please look at the screen. On the left is a schematic of the coronavirus, on the right is a diagram of the five technical solutions for vaccine R&D, and the top one is the inactivated vaccine. The first solution is to inactivate the novel coronavirus after it is produced. The inactivated vaccine can be used for clinical trials after full evaluation of its safety and efficacy. The second technical solution is a genetic engineering vaccine. We mass-produce the protein S, which is the most likely antigenic protein of the novel coronavirus, and then inject the protein into the body to produce antibodies, which may reduce risks of a novel coronavirus infection. The third technical solution is to use adenovirus as a vector. Adenovirus is a modified virus and it is used in replicating the protein of the novel coronavirus, namely the protein S. Adenovirus can infect our respiratory tract, where it replicates the protein S of the novel coronavirus. Then, the protein S can stimulate the production of antibodies to reduce the infection risk. The fourth technical solution relates to nucleic acid vaccines including mRNA vaccine and DNA vaccine. These two vaccines involve injecting nucleic acid including some carriers or nucleic acid wrapped with nanoparticles into the body. There, it replicate the protein of the novel coronavirus. The protein then stimulates the body to produce antibodies thus forming resistance to the virus. The fifth technical solution is to use attenuated influenza virus vaccine as a carrier. We already have an approved attenuated influenza vaccine. We are trying to add the protein of the novel coronavirus into the vaccine. If this solution works well, a vaccine that can prevent both novel coronavirus infection and influenza will be developed. The vaccine is of great clinical significance during such a flu season. Now the five technical solutions are being accelerated simultaneously.
Some projects have entered the phase of animal testing. To give you a visual metaphor, if the R&D of vaccines is just like erecting a building, now the groundwork has been laid and the main part has reached ground level. We are now building as fast as we can, and will then move into the phase of decoration. Our target is to initiate emergency use, procedures for emergency review and approval of vaccines in accordance with the country's relevant laws if the outbreak requires this approach. Under the premise of ensuring safe and effective access, some vaccines are expected to enter the phase of clinical trials as soon as in April or May. We also have been striving for emergency access to vaccines under certain conditions. This is our basic analysis and judgment on the vaccine work. Thank you.
Science and Technology Daily:
For each expert seated here, would you like to share your advice and opinions on how to protect ourselves from the transmission of the virus when the resumption of work and production, including Spring farming in rural areas, gets underway in an orderly manner?
Zhou Qi:
This question may concern us most when we have resumed work and production in every sector. How much do we risk being infected when we return to normal production activities in offices, workshops and farmlands? How can we protect ourselves? I would like to respond in two aspects: how do we contact with the disease and how does it enter our bodies. Given the possible transmission channels, such as, aerosols, excrement and through the mouth, reported by the medical staff and research fellows at the forefront of the work, our science and research team have designed many experiments in an attempt to work out the pathogenic mechanism and how it transmits.
For example, many interdisciplinary teams have designed various experiments of aerosol transmission. Among them, one involved the design of a 30-cubic-meter box to simulate the aerosol environment, and different experimental animals were used to simulate and verify the situations where the virus can affect the human body. Early tests have shown that respiratory droplets and close physical contact are two transmission routes of the virus. If the three conditions of confined space, long-term exposure, and high concentration are present, then there is a possibility of aerosol transmission. However, in an open environment, the chance of transmitting the COVID-19 via the aerosol route is extremely low. Therefore, we must improve each individual's protection awareness and cut off the path of virus transmission. For the companies that have resumed work, here I have two suggestions: one is to maintain ventilation in relatively intensive work places. And the colleagues should maintain a moderate distance between each other, which are effective means of protection.
If infected, we still need to figure out how the virus invaded our body. The virus could be transmitted mainly through the oral cavity, eye and nasal mucus. Therefore, it is very necessary to wear protection covering these parts. For example, to wear masks in a correct way in crowded pedestrian areas is one of the effective ways of preventing the virus from gaining a hold.
As for other means of virus transmission, it has been proved through scientific tests that it cannot be transmitted through skin contact. Thus, as long as you wash your hands in a correct and frequent manner, you will be able to avoid infection, even via fecal-oral transmission. With the continuous drop in the number of confirmed and suspected patients, with our growing knowledge of the characteristics of the virus, and with our updated methods of control and prevention, I believe that we can carry out precise and targeted efforts to stop the virus spread. Thank you.
Xinhua News Agency:
We have noticed that there is an increasing proportion of content concerning traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the sixth edition of the diagnosis and treatment plan. Does this indicate the extraordinary clinical effectiveness of TCM in COVID-19 treatment? Based on some clinical statistics, could you introduce the application and effect of TCM in COVID-19 treatment? Thank you.
Zeng Yixin:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the great creations of the Chinese people. It has contributed to an inheritance of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. For example, there was once an outbreak of encephalitis B in north China's Shijiazhuang city and Beijing in the 1950s. As the People's Republic of China was just founded and possessed less developed medical services, plus there wasn't any effective treatment globally for encephalitis B, the fatality rate was very high initially, up to 50%. Therefore, TCM was soon adopted in its treatment. At that time, Mr. Pu Fuzhou, a TCM doctor with rich clinical experience, proposed a Bai-Hu-Tang-based herbal medicine for encephalitis B patients based on the climate conditions [Bai-Hu-Tang is a widely used Chinese medicine formula composed of Shi-Gao (gypsum fibrosum), Zhi-Mu (rhizoma anemarrhenae), Zhi-Gan-Cao (radix glycyrrhizae preparata), and Geng-Mi (non-glutinous rice) ]. Different dosage was prescribed according to different situations in Shijiazhuang and Beijing. This turned out to be very effective, and the outbreak of encephalitis B was soon contained due to the joint efforts from both Chinese and Western medicine as well as people from all walks of life. This is one of the successful cases in history.
Many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories can be applied in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. For example, one TCM theory pronounced as "Zheng Qi Cun Nei, Xie Bu Ke Gan" means a healthy body functioning normally is not susceptible to the attacks of epidemic diseases, and even if under attack, a person will not easily get sick. Another TCM theory of "Fu Zheng Qu Xie" focuses on clinical treatment to strengthen bodily resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors and therefore lead to patient recovery. A theory called "San Yin Zhi Yi" means conducting diagnosis and treatment based on the overall analysis of geography, seasonal climate, patients' physical conditions and the development of the illness, which reflects the distinguishing feature of formulating individualized, precise clinical treatment plans in TCM.
In the prevention and cure of the epidemic, the national diagnosis and treatment program well embodies these principles. The recommended treatment prescriptions should be differentiated between early, middle and late stage in the development of disease, and are varied according to the different symptoms. For example, one patient has a fever, and another doesn't; one patient feels chilly, but another doesn't. And even a same prescription should be adjusted according to the conditions of disease. All these theories and principles are integrated in the national diagnosis and treatment program.
The circle of traditional Chinese medicine actively participated in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and more than 630 TCM hospitals in 28 provincial-level regions have sent nearly 3,200 medical workers to support Hubei province. More than two-thirds of treatments and cures in Hubei have involved TCM practices. Panels of medical experts were formed at national and local levels, with experts specializing in TCM and Western medicine coordinating to address the problem at hand, to promote the establishment and improvement of a mechanism for coordination between the two medicine systems in the process of prevention and cure of COVID-19, to push for the implementation of the system of group consultation by TCM and Western medicine professionals, and to improve the efficacy of clinical treatment.
I also want to stress that TCM and Western medicine can boost development of each other with complementary advantages, and together, they can safeguard and improve public health. This has become a key feature and strength of the health undertaking with Chinese characteristics. In the prevention and cure of the epidemic, we must insist on enhancing the integration of TCM and Western medicine practices, specify and implement the mechanism for their coordination, and take better advantage of this feature and strength of our own, in order to win the people's war against the epidemic as quickly as possible. Thank you.
Thecover.cn:
We have noticed that the Ministry of Science and Technology has lately called for "thousands of patients cured of COVID-19 to donate plasma to save the other thousands of infected cases." Is the treatment involving use of blood plasma of cured patients now in wide use? And how is the effect of the treatment? Thank you.
Xu Nanping:
Thank you very much for your question. By asking this question you gave me an opportunity to show highest respect to the cured patients who have donated their blood plasma. Up to yesterday, more than 100 cured patients had donated blood plasma which can be used to produce approximately 240 portions of plasma for clinical use to treat more than 200 severe and critically-ill cases.
You mentioned that, at the last press conference, the Ministry of Science and Technology called for "thousands of patients cured of COVID-19 to donate plasma to save the other thousands of infected cases." After that conference, Zhong Nanshan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital and other clinical experts in the frontline explained about the therapeutic effect and safety of convalescent plasma therapy. Let me give you an example. Among the first 11 patients receiving plasma therapy in Wuhan, six had developed viremia. After two to three days plasma therapy, this had disappeared and the patients got better. Patients in other regions who receive plasma therapy are also quite stable, now. Overall, the effect is positive.
You also asked about the next step. First, the plasma therapy was included in the fifth version of the diagnosis and therapeutic plan. It will be further improved in the sixth version. It is confirmed that the therapy can be used to save lives of three types of patients, i.e. quickly worsening patients, severely-ill patients and critical patients. Because it is included in the treatment plan, doctors can use it in the clinic. Second, 20 teams in charge of collecting plasma have been organized to station in 11 provinces with a relatively larger number of recovered patients. After a month of research, the process of collecting and follow-up processing has been standardized to ensure safety. Now, conditions are favorable to roll out the therapy in key areas. Third, a few days ago, the National Health Commission released a document requiring local health system to support this work. It provides institutional guarantee to apply the plasma therapy to treat severe and critical patients nationwide.
As for the next step, we hope that more recovered people can donate plasma and show their love. We also hope that quickly worsening, severely-ill and critical patients could consider this treatment plan on the basis of informed consent. More importantly, medical institutions and doctors should follow the protocols and requirements to use plasma therapy to treat more patients, giving hope to the most severe cases.
Hu Kaihong:
Today's conference is hereby concluded. Thank you, speakers. Thank you all.
Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Zhang Lulu, Gong Yingchun, Zhang Rui, Yan Xiaoqing, Cui Can, Yang Xi, Duan Yaying, Wu Jin, Zhu Bochen, Liu Sitong, Wang Yiming, Li Huiru, Wang Wei, He Shan, Li Xiao, Fan Junmei, Yuan Fang, Guo Xiaohong, Wang Yanfang, Geoffrey Murray. In case of any dispute over a discrepancy, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
