InterPore2020 to be held as virtual conference (May 22, 2020)
Since the news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak surfaced, we have been monitoring the situation. Although the situation is improving in many countries, currently there is too much uncertainty regarding the restrictions that will be still in place in September. We are committed to hosting InterPore2020 and have decided that holding an online-only conference this year is in the best interest of all our participants. As an integral part of any conference, the ability to make new connections and build existing networks is one of our top priorities. This must also be met with a streamlined approach to presenting multiple sessions across various tracks. Our top goal is to provide a conference which informs and engages participants as much as any face-to-face meeting. A task force has been exploring online conference platforms and will be providing recommendations to the Executive Committee in the next week.
Stay tuned for more details!
Regional Update on the Coronavirus in Qingdao (March 5, 2020)
As the rest of the world begins to grapple with the novel coronavirus outbreak, the health and safety of InterPore2020 participants continues to be our number one priority. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Qingdao and are pleased to see an encouraging trend in China. Since the outbreak, the Chinese government has taken strict prevention and control measures to effectively curb the spread of the disease. At present, the epidemic control situation across the country shows a positive trend, with the number of confirmed new cases decreasing nationwide. Over the last 10 days (since February 25) there have been only 3 confirmed new cases in Shandong Province, where Qingdao is located.4
While we understand there is a feeling of uncertainty for what lies ahead, InterPore is continuing its preparation for the annual conference. We're happy with the decline of confirmed cases in China and will continue to closely monitor the situation throughout the world. We are optimistic that we will be able to welcome you to an interesting, enjoyable and safe conference later this year.
InterPore2020 postponed until 30 August - 4 September 2020 (February 19, 2020)
Due to rising concerns of the development of the Coronavirus outbreak, the annual InterPore conference scheduled to be held 24 - 29 May 2020 has been postponed until 30 August - 4 September 2020. The location of the conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Qingdao, China remains the same.
The Executive Committee has reached this decision after careful consideration of various options, and in consultation with the Local Organizing Committee.
We apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may cause and will be providing our participants, exhibitors, and event partners the support they require as a result of this decision.
Further details about possible changes to the program and/or new deadlines will be made available soon.
Links to current information on 2019-nCoV
Coronavirus outbreak may be over in China by April （February 11, 2020 ）
WHO Corona Virus Situation Reports (updated daily)
Johns Hopkins Corona Virus Dashboard (real-time reports)
Brief introduction on 2019-nCoV (February 3, 2020)
On 31 December 2019, World Health Organization (WHO) was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. One week later, on 7 January, Chinese authorities confirmed that they had identified a new virus. The new virus is a coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that include the common cold, and viruses such as SARS and MERS. This new virus was temporarily named “2019-nCoV.” The detailed information can be found on official website of World Health Organization (WHO), https://www.who.int/.
China firm to win anti-virus battle at all cost
China has fortified a nationwide defense against novel coronavirus. A range of strong steps being taken to control the virus across the country:
- Wuhan, alongside other cities in Hubei, has introduced the most stringent control measures in history. The city has physically sealed itself off from the outside and has banned the use of automobiles to cut off the spread of the virus. People are working around the clock to build two makeshift hospitals in suburban Wuhan, following the model of the Xiaotangshan hospital in Beijing that was built when the country fought the SARS epidemic in 2003.
- Medical resources nationwide, civilian and military, are pouring into Wuhan. Doctors, nurses and experts from across the nation have been selected to join the battle, and manufacturers have restarted their plants to produce medical consumables that have been running short in many places. A national research team of experts has been set up to help prevent and control the outbreak, which is headed by renowned respiratory scientist Zhong Nanshan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a prominent expert in respiratory diseases, who discovered the SARS coronavirus in 2003.
- Local governments across the country have adopted restricted measures to curb the spread of the virus as much as possible, and the public has been cooperative. People are staying at home to avoid and many have canceled trips for family get-togethers. This is going to be an unforgettable Spring Festival for the Chinese, as families are separated but united to stand together in the face of the disease.
- Wuhan, a city about five times the size of London, boasts state-of-the-art scientific research capacities. It hosts a bio-safety level four (BSL-4) laboratory, or the Wuhan P4 lab. It researches the most dangerous pathogens and follows the maximum safety levels. There are only a handful of such labs in Asia. It puts Wuhan in a good position to handle the disease outbreak in the city.
China 'confident' in ability to end outbreak
Nationwide, the outbreak is at an early stage and instances of novel coronavirus have so far occurred sporadically. It's hard to predict when the epidemic will reach its peak, but it may come in a week or 10 days, said Zhong Nanshan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a prominent expert in respiratory diseases. After that, the number of people infected by the novel coronavirus will not increase massively. A range of strong steps being taken to control the virus across the country. China is confident in its ability to end the novel coronavirus outbreak at a lower cost and a faster speed, health minister Ma Xiaowei said on Sunday.
It's worth noting that rays of hope have emerged. As of Saturday, 49 people infected by the virus had recovered and been released from hospitals. Chinese scientists are also racing against time to develop vaccines for the novel coronavirus. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has isolated the virus and is currently identifying a seed strain. Researchers are also screening drugs targeting pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus. China has continued to have close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO), releasing information to the WHO as well as relevant countries in a timely manner. The virus will be beaten, just as Spring will come.
Recommendation and advice from Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
We suggest that everyone pay close attention to the development of the 2019-nCoV and make a final decision over time. After all, with nearly four months to go before the conference, it is too early to worry excessively. And LOC will keep tracking and update the latest situation in the newsletter. Meanwhile do not trust the news and videos from some misleading media and websites and we also supply some official and authoritative website for timely and accurately tracking 2019-nCoV.
References and Resources：
1. China firm to win anti-virus battle at all cost
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202001/29/WS5e30e84ba3101282172738a4.html
2. China 'confident' in ability to end outbreak
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/2020-01/26/c_76008.htm
3. National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China
http://en.nhc.gov.cn/
4. World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/
