COVID-19

Since late December there have been an increasing number of cases of viral pneumonia caused by infection with the new coronavirus. The situation is constantly developing and the SOS International alarm centre has registered close to 200 cases related to COVID-19 at this point in time.

The rate of new daily reported infections has shown consistent signs of slowing down. (Source: WHO)

New Confirmed cases per date (WHO definition)

Local experts are currently expecting the epidemic to end in April, according to SOS International’s local Service Office in China.

Status of Healthcare system
There are media reports indicating that the healthcare system in Hubei Province is severely overwhelmed and challenged to provide optimal care for patients admitted in the Province.

The considerable logistics and medical resources from the Chinese army have been mobilized to address the issue, and temporary hospitals and quarantine centers are being opened at a breakneck pace to free resources at existing hospitals, still the situation seems very serious in the province.

The SOS Service Office in Beijing has not found any indication for any similar critical situation in healthcare systems outside of Hubei province, where SOS usually sees cases, although the current state of the provincial healthcare systems certainly varies between provinces, and the provincial healthcare systems are under high alert due to the current situation.

Fever Clinics
All patients with COVID-19 symptoms must still report to the so-called Fever Clinics at designated public hospitals with the necessary procedures and equipment to avoid retransmission of the disease. SOS International can assist with referral to these clinics through our 24h alarm centre, which will liaise with our local Service Office in China to provide the best possible recommendation.

While doctors working at public hospitals in China are usually competent, the facilities in China are generally of a lower standard than in Scandinavia, the difference is especially pronounced in more rural areas.

In addition, English competence is limited to non-existent at many public hospitals and they can be very busy, sometimes outright chaotic for patients unfamiliar with the language and procedures.

Travel restrictions
More than 50 countries have imposed varying levels of entry or quarantine restrictions on travelers who have recently visited China, including non-Chinese nationals.

Many airlines around the world, including SAS, continues their full suspension or scaling back of flights to and from China. 

These restrictions may to a limited degree affect or complicate evacuations from China, not related to COVID-19, from China. SOS International does not expect Chinese authorities to allow medical evacuations of COVID-19 cases for non-state actors.

Current travel advice from all Nordic Foreign Ministries is to avoid all travel to Hubei and Zhejiang province.

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