Health

Wuhan pulmonologist: Why didn't other countries learn the lesson?

Wuhan, Apr 8 (EFE).- Dr. Hu Ke, specialized in respiratory diseases, has been treating critically ill patients of COVID-19 for more than two months in Wuhan City, the origin of a pandemic that still overwhelms the world.This 55-year-old pulmonologist greeted EFE at the Wuhan University People's Hospital, where he also works as a professor of pulmonary medicine and is part of the provincial team of experts appointed to combat the disease. (Camera: JESÚS CENTENO).SHOT LIST: DR. HU KE DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH EFE AT THE WUHAN UNIVERSITY PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL IN WUHAN, HUBEI PROVINCE, CHINA. SOUND BITES: DR. HU KE (IN CHINESE). TRANSLATION: (0:02-1:42) In the first stage of the epidemic, the number of cases was growing rapidly. In mid-January, patients kept increasing and hospital beds were limited. At that time, there were too many patients and we could not cope. It was complicated. The Government then took the right measures. In a short period of time, the Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals were built, and private health centers were requisitioned to treat patients. We admitted everyone, built spaces to isolate patients with milder symptoms. Gyms, public spaces were used for that. At the same time, medical personnel from other provinces came to help us treat the sick.(01:46-3:12) The closure of Wuhan was very important. Not only Wuhan: other small towns in Hubei province also closed. Closing the city, public transportation, banning crowds ... were key to preventing the outbreak from spreading. They are important control and prevention measures. Wuhan has a population of more than 10 million people: determination is required to make such a decision.(3:31-4:32) In other countries, people have been asked to work from home. Restricting population movement also has certain effects. The principle is the same as that followed in Wuhan. After taking these measures, European countries have managed to slow down the growth of cases. The United States remains a problem. It is still very difficult in Italy, not to mention Iran. Some religious countries have the habit of meeting indoors, causing crowds. The Chinese measures were mandatory, that they were correctly carried out was also very important. Each country has different customs and cultures, and it is normal for the measures to change according to the country, but the lesson is the same for everyone. (4:48-5:38) I think that with the summer the epidemic will end, by June it will no longer be a problem. We have to follow the situation outside, if it can be controlled. This is very important. If, by June or July, there are still many foreign cases, this will be bad. But when it comes to China, I am very optimistic. Other cities and provinces have returned to normal and Hubei is already doing so. Wuhan will return to normal very soon.(05:35-05:52) After two or three months of hard work, we have contained the virus. Why did other countries not learn the lesson? (05:53-06:56) That is speculation from journalists. Do you have data? What data do they have to affirm something like this? The truth is that no one knows. I am not saying that there were no cases (of deceased who were not counted as deaths by COVID-19), it may have something to do with the tradition of the Chinese. There are people who live in the countryside who, when sick, prefer to die at home. On the other hand, it cannot be said that since there are people who died at home from COVID-19, they may have died from any other disease. Journalists say that since there are people who died at home the number must be higher. Well, they are spreading rumors.