Suzhou takes care of students with COVID

15 of Tuesday's 24 new infections were secondary technical school interns

A heartwarming welcome and a detailed explanation of how some students got infected with COVID-19 and how they would be taken care of in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, won the hearts of Chinese netizens recently.

On Thursday, the official WeChat social media account of the Suzhou Information Office said that 15 of Tuesday's 24 new infections were from a secondary technical school in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, while 43 of Wednesday's 47 infections were also from the school.

The office said students came to the city to intern at local companies with an eagerness to learn. However, infections spread on the intercity buses on which more than 570 students traveled.

"Suzhou will certainly treat and take good care of these teachers and students," it said, adding that netizens should not worry.

"Suzhou will always welcome talent to work and start businesses here," it added.

Suzhou's moves have won applause from many netizens.

"Suzhou is a warm and responsible city," said a netizen who goes by 'Arrain' on WeChat. "It replies to inquiries in the comment section and makes responsible promises."

"It gives people a sense of security," said a netizen called "Bunny Oh Piggy" on microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

"The Suzhou government once said that 'You are a Suzhouer once you arrive in the city, and all you need is a bag (to pack necessities of life) to live in the city," posted a netizen "fully assured" on Sina Weibo.

Another netizen, "male cat", said the government's reply reminded him of what a senior local official said previously: "You can always have faith in Suzhou."

Li Yong, then-director of the Suzhou Information Office, said those exact words at a news conference held in April, which also drew a lot of public attention due to its warmth and care for the local people.

"The local people felt that the government had been striving, and the government also felt all the efforts made by the local people. It was the joint efforts of the two sides that gave Suzhou enough confidence and courage to conquer the epidemic."

"We have a firm belief that you can always have faith in Suzhou," he said.

Besides providing a cozy quarantine environment and delicate food, the disease control and prevention department of Suzhou also contacted the secondary technical school in Shijiazhuang.

The school has delivered nutritional supplements and warm clothes to the students.

Besides three meals, the school guaranteed parents that the students will get milk, fruit and snacks for free.

It also has appointed counselors to calm down and comfort the students.

On Thursday, Hebei province reported two confirmed and 326 asymptomatic cases, of which 253 were reported in the provincial capital Shijiazhuang, according to the local health commission.