习近平对新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情作出重要指示

近期，湖北省武汉市等多个地区发生新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情。

As of 6 pm Monday, a total of 224 cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in China. Of them, 217 had been confirmed and 7 remained suspected.
截至1月20日18时，境内累计报告新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎病例224例，其中确诊病例217例；疑似病例7例。

Overseas, one case has been confirmed in Japan, two in Thailand, and one in the Republic of Korea.
境外方面，日本通报确诊病例1例，泰国通报确诊病例2例，韩国通报确诊病例1例。

【知识点】

冠状病毒（coronavirus）是一类主要引起呼吸道、肠道疾病（respiratory and intestinal diseases）的病原体。这类病毒颗粒的表面有许多规则排列的突起（a fringe of bulbous surface projections ），整个病毒颗粒就像一顶帝王的皇冠（royal crown），因此得名“冠状病毒”。冠状病毒除人类以外，还可感染猪、牛、猫、犬、貂、骆驼、蝙蝠、老鼠、刺猬等多种哺乳动物以及多种鸟类（mammals and birds）。

【关于新型冠状病毒】

2019-nCoV, as it's been labelled, is understood to be a new strain of coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans.
这种新型冠状病毒（2019-nCoV）此前未在人类身上发现过。

Coronaviruses are a broad family of viruses, but only six (the new one would make it seven) are known to infect people.
冠状病毒是一个庞大的病毒家族，目前已知会感染人类的有六种（新发现的这种是第七种）。

Scientists believe an animal source is "the most likely primary source" but that some human-to-human transmission has occurred.
科学家认为动物是“最有可能的初始感染源”，不过，也有一些人传人的病例。

Signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
感染症状包括：呼吸道症状，发烧，咳嗽，呼吸短促，呼吸困难等。

（以上信息来源于世界卫生组织）

疫情发生后，党中央、国务院高度重视。

中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平作出重要指示，湖北武汉市等地近期陆续发生新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情，必须引起高度重视，全力做好防控工作。

The prevention and control work is crucial at the moment due to the large passenger flows during the Spring Festival holiday, Xi said.
目前正值春节期间，人员大范围密集流动，做好疫情防控工作十分紧要。

The Party committees and governments at all levels must put people's safety and health as the top priority and take effective measures to curb the spread of the virus, he said.
各级党委和政府及有关部门要把人民群众生命安全和身体健康放在第一位，采取切实有效措施，坚决遏制疫情蔓延势头。

Xi ordered all-out efforts to treat patients, identify the causes of the virus infection and spread at an earlier date, strengthen monitoring and standardize treatment procedures.
要全力救治患者，尽快查明病毒感染和传播原因，加强病例监测，规范处置流程。

Xi spoke of the need for the timely release of information and the deepening of international cooperation.
要及时发布疫情信息，深化国际合作。

He also stressed the necessity of informing the public of relevant policies to safeguard social stability and ensure people have a peaceful and auspicious Chinese New Year festival.
要加强有关政策措施宣传解读工作，坚决维护社会大局稳定，确保人民群众度过一个安定祥和的新春佳节。

中共中央政治局常委、国务院总理李克强作出批示，

Li instructed related government departments and localities to improve response plans and spare no effort in prevention and control in this regard.
各相关部门和地方要完善应对方案，全力以赴做好防控工作。

He also demanded better communication and coordination with the World Health Organization, related countries, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to join efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
做好与世界卫生组织、有关国家和港澳台地区的沟通协调，密切协作形成合力，坚决防止疫情扩散蔓延。

【我们如何做好防护】

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen）