Stricter measures needed to contain epidemic: Hubei senior official

Stricter prevention and control measures must be taken to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic in Central China's Hubei province, said Qian Yuankun, a senior official in Hubei, on Monday.

During the epidemic's current window, treatment and cutting off the epidemic's spread are two key steps, so accepting and treating those who need to be checked and treated are still the priorities, said Qian, deputy secretary-general of the Hubei Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Blocking is the key cure to prevent the spread of the epidemic, and the community is the basic unit and also the first line of defense for epidemic prevention and control, he said at a daily news conference.

Qian called on the public to take further action to keep their communities under closed management.

"Once you guard the gate of your community, you could protect your health, safety and lives," he said.

"We have to use short-term pain to prevent the internal spread in communities and contain the spread of the epidemic," he said, adding that victory will come earlier if the prevention and control measures are stricter.

Qian also appealed for the public to wear masks and urged community officers to ensure a sufficient supply of daily necessities to meet the needs of residents while residential areas are experiencing closed management.