Local officials and urban residents in Hangzhou, the picturesque
capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, are visiting residents
who have been quarantined as part of the city-wide efforts to
contain the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Cordial calls, flowers and fresh fruit from relatives and the
public at large have been pouring into the quarantined buildings in
Hangzhou, where three SARS cases have been confirmed.
"The sacrifices you have made in the fight against SARS heighten
our optimism further that we can surmount all types of
difficulties," the Municipal Party Secretary Wang Guoping said in
an on-line message to those living in the quarantined building
through a local BBS (bulletin board system) forum.
"I
feel very proud of you as residents of my city," Wang said.
Two weeks ago, the municipal disease control and prevention
departments began isolating people who had had contact with
confirmed or suspected SARS patients.
To
date, 80 epidemic or observation sites of spots have been
designated and put under quarantine and observation by the
provincial and city authorities.
The quarantine was carried out in accordance with the relevant
Chinese Laws on the Control and Prevention of Epidemic Diseases,
said Zhou Kun, deputy director of the Zhejiang provincial health
department.
"The understanding and cooperation shown and expressed by residents
of the quarantined areas constitutes the strongest form of support
we have received in the fight against SARS," Zhou said.
Local community officials and companies have also been aroused to
provide the quarantined residents with a range of services,
including meal service, and the purchase of food rice or even
lottery tickets.
"Let's unite and tide over this hardship," said netizens and
ordinary people, while exchanging their best wishes for those
quarantined via the Internet.
The appeal to express sympathy and respect for those quarantined
has received an enthusiastic response from a large number of
familiar and new residents and organizations.
Many Hangzhou-based newspapers have sent free papers to those
living under quarantine sites. Pharmaceutical companies have
donated free vitamins to improve immunity, while hospitals have
opened hotlines for SARS-related psychological assistance.
Meanwhile, the relevant authorities have formed three special teams
to provide quarantined people with daily necessities, handle and
sterilize their trash and waste materials and provide prompt,
emergency medical services.
"Despite being quarantined, we continue to feel at ease and
connected closely to society," a lady surnamed Lou told Xinhua over
the telephone. Lou and dozens of households are quarantined in an
apartment in the city's Shangcheng District.
Lady Lou received a total of 66 calls to solicitude her on April 23
alone. "I'm sure that the victory over SARS is in sight, in view of
the various measures being taken," Lou said with a sense of
confidence.
(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2003)
