Photo: Xinhua

Chinese top respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan said Thursday although the COVID-19 outbreak first appeared in China, that does not necessarily mean it originated here. The scientist also noted that the coronavirus infections would be much fewer if strict measures could be implemented in early December.Zhong made the remarks at a press briefing jointly held by the Guangzhou government and Guangzhou Medical University, in which Zhong noted that China is confident it will be able to contain the COVID-19 outbreak by the end of April this year.But Zhong pointed out the development of new drugs against COVID-19 is impossible to complete in 20 days or even a month, which requires long-term accumulation.According to Zhong, one COVID-19 patient can infect an average of two to three people, making it more severe than SARS. However, he said that ideally, cured COVID-19 patients are unlikely to be reinfected, referring to the news that 13 recovered and discharged patients from Guangzhou tested positive again in checkups recently.“Treatment first, research second,” said Zhong, noting that new drugs will be first carefully tested in a controlled trial before they are used on patients.Zhong also praised the timely intervention from Chinese government and nationwide joint prevention and control efforts, which have successfully prevented a mass COVID-19 outbreak in China.There have been three coronavirus infection epidemics in the 21st century. We have to take immediate action as soon as we detect coronavirus. This is a lesson we must learn, said Zhong.He added that in China, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is just a “technical department” with limited standing. Zhong said this department should be given more power and its importance should be further highlighted.Zhong also disclosed that he will share China’s experience with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) this weekend through livestreaming.More international cooperation is needed, including setting up a long-term mechanism, said the Chinese respiratory specialist.There were 433 new coronavirus infections and 29 new deaths reported on Feb 26 in the Chinese mainland. The total infection number has soared to 78,497, with 2,744 deaths.Global Times