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CNN Live Sunday
China Works to Contain Spread of SARS
Aired April 20, 2003 - 16:29 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.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: As the mystery illness known as SARS continues its global spread, so too do efforts to stop it, according to the World Health Organization. More than 3,500 people are now infected with SARS worldwide. And at least 182 have died. The sharpest rise in SARS cases is in China. CNN Beijing Bureau chief Jaime Florcruz explains why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): "Off limits, contaminated area," says this sign in the Beijing hospital where patients waited to be examined for SARS, evidence that the epidemic is spreading in China. Health officials now report there are over 300 confirmed patients in Beijing alone, much more than the previous count of 37.
GAO QIANG, CHINESE HEALTH OFFICIAL (through translator): Following the outbreak, the Health Ministry failed to institute a unified system for collecting, processing and reporting SARS information nationwide.
FLORCRUZ: He says the numbers in Beijing could still rise because some 400 more people are suspected of having SARS. It's partly a case of underreporting being corrected.
GAO (through translator): If number of confirmed cases continues to rise in the coming days, we shouldn't interpret it as a major deterioration of the situation.
FLORCRUZ: The dramatic rise in numbers comes at a time when top Chinese leaders have warned against undercounting and cover-up of SARS cases.
Over two weeks ago, China's health minister claimed SARS was under effective control. He has been dismissed, along with Beijing's mayor, Meng Xuenong, as Chinese leaders struggle to contain SARS and regain public trust.
A public information campaign is under way in train station, schools and other public places. Many schools have canceled mass activities and classes. Chinese officials also announced a cancellation of the week-long Mayday holiday to avoid massive movement of people.
GAO (through translator): I'm sure this measure will mean major losses for tourism revenues, but the Chinese government put people's lives and health above everything else.
FLORCRUZ (on camera): Officials say they'll spend as much as it takes to contain SARS. They promise free treatment for patients who cannot afford the medical bills. They hope by doing so, they can prevent the spread of SARS among China's 100 million migrant farmers, who, looking for jobs, travel to and from cities like Beijing.
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 20, 2003 - 16:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: As the mystery illness known as SARS continues its global spread, so too do efforts to stop it, according to the World Health Organization. More than 3,500 people are now infected with SARS worldwide. And at least 182 have died. The sharpest rise in SARS cases is in China. CNN Beijing Bureau chief Jaime Florcruz explains why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): "Off limits, contaminated area," says this sign in the Beijing hospital where patients waited to be examined for SARS, evidence that the epidemic is spreading in China. Health officials now report there are over 300 confirmed patients in Beijing alone, much more than the previous count of 37.
GAO QIANG, CHINESE HEALTH OFFICIAL (through translator): Following the outbreak, the Health Ministry failed to institute a unified system for collecting, processing and reporting SARS information nationwide.
FLORCRUZ: He says the numbers in Beijing could still rise because some 400 more people are suspected of having SARS. It's partly a case of underreporting being corrected.
GAO (through translator): If number of confirmed cases continues to rise in the coming days, we shouldn't interpret it as a major deterioration of the situation.
FLORCRUZ: The dramatic rise in numbers comes at a time when top Chinese leaders have warned against undercounting and cover-up of SARS cases.
Over two weeks ago, China's health minister claimed SARS was under effective control. He has been dismissed, along with Beijing's mayor, Meng Xuenong, as Chinese leaders struggle to contain SARS and regain public trust.
A public information campaign is under way in train station, schools and other public places. Many schools have canceled mass activities and classes. Chinese officials also announced a cancellation of the week-long Mayday holiday to avoid massive movement of people.
GAO (through translator): I'm sure this measure will mean major losses for tourism revenues, but the Chinese government put people's lives and health above everything else.
FLORCRUZ (on camera): Officials say they'll spend as much as it takes to contain SARS. They promise free treatment for patients who cannot afford the medical bills. They hope by doing so, they can prevent the spread of SARS among China's 100 million migrant farmers, who, looking for jobs, travel to and from cities like Beijing.
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
