Guangdong officials held a press conference on the province’s fight against the new coronavirus-related pneumonia (2019-nCoV) in Guangzhou today.

Guangdong officials held a press conference on the province’s fight against the new coronavirus-related pneumonia (2019-nCoV) in Guangzhou today. (Photo: Nian Qing)

Guangdong has confirmed 19 new cases as of 12pm, January 28th, pushing the total number of infected patients to 207. Heyuan reported the first case.

Shenzhen reported 2 recovery cases on January 27th.

Chaozhou, Yunfu, Jiangmen, Maoming had so far 0 case.

As of 9 o'clock on January 28, no medical staff in Guangdong were infected.

According to the latest announcement of the Guangdong Provincial Government, primary, secondary schools and kindergartens will not open before February 17th, and universities and colleges before February 24th.

In addition, enterprises shall not resume their work earlier than 24:00, February 9th except those related to medical care, sanitation, daily supply and other related fields.

According to the announcement, enterprises, schools and universities and other employing units should set up quarantine facilities and provide sanitation supplies for guarantee students and employees’ health.

"There are 2.19 million college students in Guangdong Province, among which over 300,000 students come from other provinces," said Jing Lihu, Director-General of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province. "We will focus on monitoring teachers and students from key areas of epidemic prevention and control, and arrange them to return to school group by group."

“Given that the incubation period of the novel coronavirus does not exceed 14 days, Guangdong enterprises shall not resume their work earlier than 24:00, February 9th”, said Chen Yiwei, Director-General of the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong Province.

"Moreover, People from key areas of the epidemic is suggested to delay their return to Guangdong."

Since wearing face mask is the most effective measure to protect people from the novel coronavirus, face mask have been out of stock in recent days.

According to Tu Gaokun, Director-General of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of Guangdong Province, the situation will be eased in the near future.

“As of 24:00, January 27th, 29 face mask manufacturers have already resumed their work. 5 enterprises producing protective clothing had returned to work, and drug enterprises are putting more efforts to meet the needs of epidemic prevention and control,” said Tu Gaokun.

According to Zheng Jianrong, Director-General of Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, foods, vegetable, edible oil, meat and mineral water are sufficient in Guangdong, which can meet the demand when a large number of people return to Guangdong after the Spring Festival holiday.

"At present, some areas have temporary shortage because the community food market and agricultural trade market are not fully opened in holiday," Zheng said. "Farmers’ markets, shopping malls and supermarkets will increase their supply and stock."

Protection Guidelines for Friends from Wuhan

In order to prevent the new coronavirus-related pneumonia from massive outbreaks after Spring Festival, Guangzhou Government published Protection Guidelines for Friends from Wuhan today.

Authors: Keane Wong, Steven Yuen, Hannah Zhou

Editor: Wing Zhang