"Over 500 COVID-19 Infections Among Medical Staff in China... Chinese Government Ordered Concealment"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] It has been claimed that at least 500 medical staff in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, have been infected with COVID-19.

On the 12th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing multiple sources, reported that by mid-January, at least 500 hospital employees in Wuhan had been infected with COVID-19.

Additionally, it was reported that there are about 600 medical staff showing suspected symptoms. Given the rapid transmission of COVID-19, if the period is extended to February, the number of confirmed and suspected infected medical personnel could be even higher.

A doctor at a large hospital in Wuhan said, "The beds prepared for medical staff infected with COVID-19 are already fully occupied," and added, "Due to a shortage of protective equipment, many colleagues are getting infected."

Sources also stated that Chinese health authorities have been informed of these infections among medical staff and are already aware, but have instructed the medical personnel not to disclose this information. This is interpreted as an effort to boost the morale of doctors fighting COVID-19, especially after the death of Li Wenliang, who was infected while treating patients, which had stirred public unrest.

Medical experts pointed out that the high infection rate among frontline medical staff treating COVID-19 is an important indicator of the risk of hospital-acquired infections of the virus.

Meanwhile, currently, about 10,000 medical personnel from across China have been dispatched to Wuhan to respond to COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.