Inside Shanghai’s 2022 COVID Surge: A Volunteer’s Story

In April 2022, Shanghai faced a daunting COVID-19 wave with over 1,000 confirmed cases and 22,000 asymptomatic infections reported in a single day. Amid the crisis, volunteers like Ruyou stepped up to support the city’s temporary hospitals—including one built at the China Flower Expo park in Chongming District.

Through Ruyou’s lens, we see the rapid setup of medical facilities, from rows of blue-tented beds to sanitized workstations. Volunteers suited up in full PPE, distributing meals and coordinating logistics. Despite the urgency, Ruyou highlights the community spirit: 'Everyone worked together—doctors, nurses, and volunteers. It felt like we were part of something bigger.'

Shanghai’s Flower Expo park, once a vibrant cultural hub, transformed into a lifeline for patients. → The temporary hospital prioritized isolating asymptomatic carriers to slow the spread, reflecting China’s 'dynamic zero-COVID' strategy at the time.

Ruyou’s story reminds us of the unsung heroes behind pandemic responses—ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Reference(s):

Stringer Dispatch: Volunteering in Shanghai's temporary hospital

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