Exclusive | China’s top virus warrior ‘shocked’ by US coronavirus death toll
- America’s response contrasts sharply with 17 years ago when authorities listened to experts and contained Sars to just over two dozen cases, Zhong Nanshan says
- Scientist unsurprised by persistence of conspiracy theories surrounding China and the new pathogen
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with the Post, veteran Chinese infectious disease expert Zhong Nanshan shares his insights into the global battle to control the Covid-19 pandemic. In this, the second instalment of a four-part series, Zhong points to what he says is the US’ unwillingness to listen to scientific advice.
More than 1.66 million Covid-19 infections have been reported in the US, with 98,226 people dying from the disease – the highest number of deaths for any country. In all, 5.49 million people have been infected globally and more than 340,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
“You can say that [the US] carried out very extensive screening or more screening than other countries … But the heavy casualties still shocked me,” he said in an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post.
05:49
Chinese respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan criticises US’ Covid-19 response
Zhong said his counterparts in the US told him that the American system was ill-prepared for the epidemic, despite the country’s high level of medical care, equipment and facilities.