Shanghai Vows To Keep Health Facilities Open

Authorities in Shanghai on Saturday vowed to ensure healthcare services are readily accessible, after some residents were reportedly denied medical attention as a number of hospitals suspended outpatient and emergency services due to Covid measures.

More instances of people in Shanghai encountering problems getting medical treatment for non-Covid ailments have surfaced, following the death of a nurse from asthma on Wednesday evening who was reportedly turned away from a hospital that's temporarily closed for disinfection.

Wu Jinglei of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission told a news conference that health facilities – including emergency rooms, fever clinics, and intensive care units – should not close or restrict access unless absolutely necessary.

The official added that parts of the city where a large number of positive cases were detected would be sealed off for testing, while rapid antigen tests were given to residents in other districts.

The nation's biggest city reported 38 more symptomatic cases, and 2,231 asymptomatic infections – a new record high.

In total, the National Health Commission reported 1,280 symptomatic local infections, slightly down from 1,301 the day before.

The northeastern province of Jilin accounted for almost 90 percent of the locally transmitted symptomatic infections.

Guangdong province reported four more symptomatic infections – two of them from Shenzhen.