Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
China Accused of Covering Up Severity of Spread of SARS
Aired April 19, 2003 - 18:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: If you have been tracking the SARS virus, this has been a discouraging day. Hong Kong reported 12 deaths, and that's the most so far in any given day. Plus the virus has now shown up in India. That, too, is a first.
So far, World Health Organization officials say more than 3,500 people have been diagnosed with the killer form of pneumonia, and a total of 182 people across the globe have died from it.
Health officials think the virus originated in mainland China last year, and now, as CNN's Jaime Florcruz reports, many are accusing the Chinese government of covering up the severity of the killer disease, and they want that to stop.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice over): Behind tightly sealed windows in this Beijing hospital ward, SARS patients undergo intensive care.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We must wear protective suits, clothes, and shoes before we can go near patients.
FLORCRUZ: China has reported more than 1,400 cases of infection nationwide, nearly half the world's total. But just how big SARS is in China remains a nagging question. Officials say there are only 37 SARS cases and four deaths in Beijing. But a team of World Heath Organization experts say the figures did not include those from military hospitals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The team found there are more cases in Beijing than reported.
FLORCRUZ: Health officials a week ago claims SARS was under effective control, confined mostly to the southern province of Guandong (ph). But SARS has spread across the country, and top leaders are alarmed. They have called for an end to cover ups.
LE XIGUANG, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: From today, any Chinese government leader will be punished if they cover up any information which is important to public.
FLORCRUZ: In train stations, passengers are handed leaflets on SARS, part of a public information campaign, which as prompted residents to take preventive measures like wearing masks. Doctors work hotlines, taking questions from anxious callers. Pharmacies do brisk business selling traditional medicine. But trying to bottle up the disease calls for sacrifices.
LE: Just like after 9/11, the American people immediately they gathered around the American President, and so the whole nation is fighting against terrorism. And now, the Chinese need to unite against this terrible disease.
FLORCRUZ (on camera): Hundreds of thousands of Chinese are expected to travel during the week-long major holiday. That's why officials are anxious to contain the spread of SARS in China. Such a massive movement of people could turn the week of rest and recreation into a public health nightmare.
Jaime Florcruz, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 19, 2003 - 18:40 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: If you have been tracking the SARS virus, this has been a discouraging day. Hong Kong reported 12 deaths, and that's the most so far in any given day. Plus the virus has now shown up in India. That, too, is a first.
So far, World Health Organization officials say more than 3,500 people have been diagnosed with the killer form of pneumonia, and a total of 182 people across the globe have died from it.
Health officials think the virus originated in mainland China last year, and now, as CNN's Jaime Florcruz reports, many are accusing the Chinese government of covering up the severity of the killer disease, and they want that to stop.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice over): Behind tightly sealed windows in this Beijing hospital ward, SARS patients undergo intensive care.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We must wear protective suits, clothes, and shoes before we can go near patients.
FLORCRUZ: China has reported more than 1,400 cases of infection nationwide, nearly half the world's total. But just how big SARS is in China remains a nagging question. Officials say there are only 37 SARS cases and four deaths in Beijing. But a team of World Heath Organization experts say the figures did not include those from military hospitals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The team found there are more cases in Beijing than reported.
FLORCRUZ: Health officials a week ago claims SARS was under effective control, confined mostly to the southern province of Guandong (ph). But SARS has spread across the country, and top leaders are alarmed. They have called for an end to cover ups.
LE XIGUANG, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: From today, any Chinese government leader will be punished if they cover up any information which is important to public.
FLORCRUZ: In train stations, passengers are handed leaflets on SARS, part of a public information campaign, which as prompted residents to take preventive measures like wearing masks. Doctors work hotlines, taking questions from anxious callers. Pharmacies do brisk business selling traditional medicine. But trying to bottle up the disease calls for sacrifices.
LE: Just like after 9/11, the American people immediately they gathered around the American President, and so the whole nation is fighting against terrorism. And now, the Chinese need to unite against this terrible disease.
FLORCRUZ (on camera): Hundreds of thousands of Chinese are expected to travel during the week-long major holiday. That's why officials are anxious to contain the spread of SARS in China. Such a massive movement of people could turn the week of rest and recreation into a public health nightmare.
Jaime Florcruz, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
