NHC official explains what causes high number of severe cases in Wuhan

The proportion of severe cases among all confirmed cases in China's Wuhan, the epicenter, of the coronavirus outbreak, has dropped from 38 percent at the beginning of the outbreak to the current 18 percent. However, the city has still seen the most severe cases in the country.

Jiao Yahui, Deputy Director-General of the National Health Commission (NHC) Bureau of Medical Administration, explained the reasons that caused the high number of severe cases in Wuhan in a CCTV interview.

The epidemic has lasted for a long time in Wuhan, said Jiao, adding that there was a shortage of prevention measures in the early stages and some patients didn't get timely treatment in communities.

According to data, in the early stages, the average time for a patient in severe condition to be hospitalized was 9.84 days. During their waiting time, the patients missed the best time to receive treatment and become a "mobile source of infection in the community," said Jiao.

Lack of medical equipment for severe cases as well as medical workers and oxygen supply when the epidemic broke out was also a challenge for treatment, Jiao explained.