FENG ZIJIAN, deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, answered questions about the novel coronavirus epidemic during an interview with CCTV last week. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Why has the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus increased dramatically?

A: Currently it seems that human-to-human transmission of the virus is getting stronger. Another factor lies in the timing of the epidemic outbreak in early December. As the Spring Festival travel rush kicked off less than a month later, people in areas with severe infections traveled nationwide, which accelerated the spread of the disease.

Q: Will there be another outbreak period of the novel coronavirus in the future?

A: It is indeed very difficult to predict the epidemic’s trend at present. With multiple measures taken, we will effectively control the spread of the coronavirus. But we can’t have high hopes it will be over within the next week.

Q: Is it necessary for all people to isolate themselves for 14 days after returning to work?

A: It is necessary for people who are returned from Hubei, where there are severe infections, to self-isolate at home for 14 days. For those from other places where there are no obvious community transmission, it’s sufficient to take self-protection measures, such as wearing a mask at work and seeking medical treatment in a timely manner.

Q: Is there a need to further extend the holiday?

A: There is no doubt that the longer the holidays are, the more well controlled the epidemic will be. But we also have to strike a balance because people still have to live and work and emergency materials have to be produced and transported.

(China Daily)