Xi Finally Visits Epidemic Epicentre Wuhan, China Says Its Focus Is Now To Prevent “Imported Cases Of Infection”  

Chinese President Xi Jinping finally arrived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, on Tuesday (Mar 10) for ostensibly inspecting the epidemic prevention and control work in Central China's Hubei Province and its capital city Wuhan, Global Times reported. (Global Times is China’s official daily tabloid newspaper and it operates under the supervision of the Chinese Communist Party.)

While Xi had earlier order Premier Li Keqiang for a visit to the city at the epicentre of epidemic in late January, this is his first visit to Wuhan after the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Xi visited front-line medical workers, military personnel and community workers. Xi is also said to have visited Huoshenshan Hospital after arriving in Wuhan for inspection.
Xi learned about the hospital's operations, treatment of patients, protection for medical workers and scientific research there.

Xi’s visit comes in the backdrop of China’s claim of a rapid decline in the number of new cases of novel coronavirus. Wuhan reportedly shut down the last of the 14 temporary hospitals that it had built to accommodate the sudden surge of new patients. The country’s National Health Commission said there were just 19 new cases on Monday (9 March), all but two of which were in Wuhan.

China has now said that it is now shifting its focus to prevent imported cases of infection and gradually resume economic activities and production.