Two construction workers at Huoshenshan Hospital were diagnosed and said they were provided less-quality masks
BeWater
(16 Feb) The Chinese government has confirmed two construction workers who worked at the Huoshenshan Hospital have been diagnosed with coronavirus. "Caixin.com" reported that while the cause of infection was still uncleared, it was reported that many workers at that time had fever and cough. Some foremen said that the sanitation situation at the construction site was very poor, as workers would urinate and defecate everywhere. Coupled with the deterioration in the quality of the masks they were given, they were expected to be infected.
"Caixin.com" quoted a report from the Health and Health Committee of Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, saying that the two workers who helped build the Huoshenshan Hospital were diagnosed with coronavirus last Thursday (14th). The cause of the infection was unknown. Several workers had reported fevers or coughs. In addition, while Area 1 was opened to receive patients with coronavirus, the construction for other areas continues .
One of the diagnosed workers named Ma said that the quality of masks that were used in the early stages of construction were better, but the quality of the masks deteriorated in the later period. He said that he had been using the same mask for a long time."The inside of the mask was all wet, It may have been infected around that time. "He also said that the Huoshenshan Hospital required completion within 8 days. The construction site had 4 buildings under construction at the same time, and many processes were being performed simultaneously, resulting in a overcrowding situation.
Another confirmed worker named Lin was responsible for drainage and ventilationat the construction site. He had worked overnight in the rain, which caused a cold and resulted in decrease in immunity. He believed he was infected because coronavirus patients had begun to be accepted in Area 1 of the hospital at that time.
Li Guangda, the person in charge of Hunan Dawei Construction Company who led the team to support the construction of the hospital in Wuhan, said that during the first 3 days of construction, better-quality N90 masks could still be distributed. However, As all the N90 masks were used up, starting from the 4th day, each worker was only issued one very thin blue ordinary mask each day to use for 16 hours. He was keeping the better N90 masks and try to wash and reused then until they could no longer be used.
In addition to the shortage of supply of masks, Li also pointed out that the sanitary conditions at the construction site were very poor. Workers were urinating everywhere. "It was too far to go to the washroom and it was so crowded, it is easier to finish the business at a hidden spot and back to work as soon as possible." Li said that some workers urinated in less traffic areas, such as behind the piles of materials. The grass on the side of the road outside the construction site is surrounded by feces.
Li believes that due to the limitations of construction conditions, the number of infection should be more than 2. He pointed out that when he went back to quarantine after completion, he was mentally prepared he might be infected, "I told my workers that being confirmed was expected, and if he was not, it is all luck." He also reminded workers to report and see their doctors as soon as they had symptoms.
Source: Stand News