The new coronavirus is spreading during the 2020 Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, depriving the season of its usual jollification and tranquility. According to the National Health Commission’s briefing on January 27, 2020, there are 2,823 cases of infection, and the death toll has reached 81.

Vice minister of industry and information technology mentioned of the four categories, 20 types of supplies Wuhan, Hubei Province had asked of in four lists since January 23, most can be met but there was still a significant shortage of protective suits and face masks. Because of the Lunar New Year holiday, only 40% of capacity is back online after efforts to increase production, but the needs for supplies like protective suits are still difficult to meet. The authorities in Hubei estimate that about 100,000 protective suits are needed a day, but daily production capacity is at best 30,000. So the heightened tension between supply and demand persists.

In addition, many partner organizations also provided information suggesting nationwide shortage of protective supplies. Staff at Tongde Catholic Hospital in Huozhou, Shanxi Province have been assisting the local health authorities checking temperature at railroad and coach stations, but they have only two protective suits that have pasted expiration dates and wear ordinary face masks. Priests from affected areas in Hunan Province also reported that many rural communities in Yueyang, Changde and Yiyang that share a border with Hubei face a severe shortage of masks.

Led by Director Zhang, Tongde Hospital staff are checking body temperature at Jinzhou Railroad station.

Jinde Disaster Relief Department started to raise awareness of the outbreak on January 24 and established an assistance program the next day. We reached out to partners such as Caritas Germany in the hope of gathering materials such as protective suits and face masks that are most urgently needed in China. Now Caritas Germany has come into contact with manufacturers and procurement negotiations are underway.

Jinde hereby appeals for continuous prayers and donations from International Caritas, dioceses and donors, and we ask you to find medical supplies through all possible channels.

Protective suits are in a severe shortage in China. Workers are making suits in a race against time. (Photo: AFP)