Wuhan emerges from the shadow of COVID-19

Changing situation

On April 26, 2020, the last four COVID-19 patients at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Hubei General Hospital) were discharged.

As the doctor in charge, Hu Ke, director of the second department of respiratory and critical care medicine, remembers the date clearly.

On the same day, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Wuhan hit zero. By April 16, 2020, only 50,333 people had been infected in the city and the death toll stood at 3,869.

"The experience gained in epidemic control in Wuhan is extremely valuable," Hu said.

"We proved that by quickly isolating patients and making sure they could all receive treatment in hospitals or makeshift hospitals, the COVID-19 epidemic could be contained in a short period of time."

As an expert in COVID-19 epidemic control, Hu has been to other parts of the country to assist local medical workers in dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks during the past three years.

"When medical workers hear that I am from Wuhan, they always show great respect because they know that I have dealt with the deadliest strain of the virus, and how hard it was. My experience is greatly valued," Hu said.

Wen, from Jinyintan Hospital, said the research on the virus carried out in Wuhan enabled China and the world to quickly develop testing kits and vaccines. She added that research on COVID-19 started at the hospital as soon as the outbreak began spreading in 2020. Several vaccines and medicines targeting COVID-19 in China have been developed, based on the hospital's data and research.

"More importantly, we are always willing to share the findings of the research and our experience with other hospitals around the world because COVID-19 is the common enemy of mankind," she said.