Precise virus control to minimize the cost

The most difficult stage of a battle often harbors a key turning point in a war.

With the Chinese mainland reporting 2,281 locally transmitted novel coronavirus infections and 2,313 asymptomatic cases on Monday, it is clearly facing a difficult test from the recent resurgence of the virus, driven by the highly transmittable Omicron variant.

As of last week, the cumulative local infections on the mainland so far this year had surpassed that of last year. And the country has to guard against imported cases as well as domestic rebounds.

This is a battle from which there can be no retreat. Not only to protect nearly one-fifth of the world’s population but also to maintain the stability of the global economy and international supply chains.

Adhering to the tried-and-proved dynamic clearing strategy, local governments are required to take swift, strict and effective measures to control the spread of the virus as soon as it appears. That means comprehensive nucleic acid test screening and epidemiological probes to cut transmission chains and find their source, and strengthening cross-regional coordination.

But while doing so, governments at various levels need to increase the accuracy of their epidemic prevention and control measures to minimize the economic costs. That means substantially enhancing their ability to spot any infections at an early date. The public and governments should not regard the Omicron variant as being another “seasonal flu”. The pandemic is far from over.

Because China has done a good job in controlling the virus, some local governments and people have relaxed their vigilance, but the recent uptick in infections show there can be no letup in the fight against the virus.

No matter how weary of the pandemic they are, it is important that everyone appreciates the significance of the battle being waged and the part they play in it. Everyone must do their bit to defeat the virus.

To ensure that people adhere to the prevention and control measures, those implementing them should do so rationally taking into account people’s livelihoods and normal socioeconomic activities. They should also ensure that people’s basic needs and any necessary medical treatment are provided for in areas where lockdowns are in place.

With this in mind, local officials should coordinate the relationship between epidemic prevention and control and economic and social activities, implement precise control, quickly and efficiently demarcate the boundaries of the lockdown areas, and strive to maximize the prevention and control effect with minimum inconvenience to the people.

At the same time, the fight against the virus is a major test of the innovation capabilities of China’s biomedical industry. The institutes and companies must expedite their research and development of neutralizing antibody drugs and new detection technology and products, so as to guarantee the country has the necessary “weapons” to defeat the virus.

Editorial, China Daily