As of midnight, February 18th, Guangdong had reported 3 new cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), all from Huizhou, pushing the total number of infected patients to 1331. No new cases were confirmed in other cities.

The province reported a new death, a 78-year-old male in Zhuhai. He was confirmed as infected after coming back from Hubei province.

About 89 percent of patients taking TCM medications have either recovered and been discharged from hospitals or exhibited improvements in their condition, explained Xu Qingfeng, Director-General of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province, at the 25th press conference on Guangdong’s fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) this afternoon. 

Xu went on to add that as of midnight, February 18th, of all 1331 confirmed cases in Guangdong, 1245 have taken TCM medications. 448 patients have been cured and discharged from hospital with a average of 14.5 days hospitalization. Also 660 patients have exhibited improvements in their condition.

(Photo: Cao Yaqin from Southcn.com)

According to Chen Ning, director of the Pulmonary Department of Guangdong second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the practice of Guangdong TCM medical team in Hubei has proved that TCM combined with Western medicine plays an active role in shortening the treatment process, increasing recovery rates as well as reducing mortality rate.

Among those taking TCM medications, 50 patients who was in severe or critical condition previously have been cured and discharged from hospitals as of February 18th.

As a matter of fact, Guangdong has rich experiences of utilizing TCMs to fight against the coronavirus. During the SARS outbreak in 2003, TCM medication demonstrated great efficacy against the virus in the province. The average mortality rate of SARS in Guangdong was 3.8%, which was far lower than 7% in China and 11% worldwide. This was recognized and highly praised by the WHO.

Authors: Nan, Zoey & Zero

Editors: Olivia & Simon