Zhejiang expects 2 million infections over holiday

The number of new COVID-19 cases is increasing by 1 million a day in Zhejiang province, local authorities said at a news conference over the weekend.

The infections are expected to peak during the New Year holiday — earlier than previously estimated — reaching a plateau for about a week, around 2 million a day, according to Yu Xinle, deputy director of the Zhejiang Health Commission.

"Of the 13,583 COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals across the province, one has severe symptoms caused by the virus, and 242 patients in severe or critical condition had underlying diseases," he said.

The province's fever clinics received as many as 400,840 visits per day during the past week. As of Saturday, Zhejiang, with a population of 65.4 million, had opened 6,595 fever clinics, each of which could handle 90 visits per day on average.

Currently, the province's designated hospitals and secondary hospitals for COVID-19 patients are equipped with 101,082 beds, Yu said. In addition, the number of ICU beds stands at 12,398, with some 1,600 added and another 3,000 to be added soon.

On Dec 21, Zhejiang authorities released a series of supporting measures for medical workers fighting COVID-19, including improving working conditions and raising salaries and benefits.