"It's out, it's out! The results are out!"
A staff member shouted in the laboratory.
Those around were drawn by her words.
This was the virus typing laboratory, and everyone was anxiously awaiting the results.
Due to the machine breaking down a few days prior, the typing had to be postponed.
Zhang Demao, the director of the laboratory, was anxious, but his age and experience showed nothing on his face.
He had been through such situations many times. He had also been in the midst of the viral disaster years ago.
Every screening and typing process went from tension to relief. Before the results were out, they prayed it was just an ordinary virus; after the results were out, their suspended hearts could finally rest.
This time was no exception.
"Quick, let me see!"
Zhang Demao said, rushing to the microscope to look.
This type of typing generally involved observing the morphology of the virus under a microscope to determine what kind of virus it was and whether it was contagious.
As soon as he saw the virus's tentacles, Zhang Demao had a bad premonition.
This virus had never been seen before, and some of its characteristics were very similar to the virus from years ago.
To confirm further, he tried to observe it from several angles.
The observation results from this laboratory directly determined the classification of the virus's danger level.
The others surrounded him, not daring to breathe loudly.
Having dealt with these kinds of organisms for years, their protective measures were thorough, so there was no fear of infection.
However, Zhang Demao's expression became very serious, and a thin sheen of sweat could even be faintly seen on his forehead.
After a long while, he finally moved away from the microscope.
"Report it! It's a pneumonia virus, and it's contagious!"
His words made everyone else very nervous.
Since it was contagious, it was a major event, and what followed was uncertain.
Zhang Demao organized the relevant information and hurried to find the dean with the results.
"What? Are you sure! You didn't misread!"
"No, really, this virus is indeed different from what we've seen before. Besides, the number of people with colds and fevers has clearly increased in the past two days, and their symptoms are more than just a cold or fever!"
Zhang Demao replied with certainty.
Standing before him was a white-haired old man, also the dean of the San Dong City General Hospital.
"Let's go, let's go! We're going to the higher authorities!"
He didn't dare to make arbitrary decisions about this matter and could only report to the higher authorities.
After entering the city's relevant disease control department, they immediately went to find the responsible leader.
"Wait a moment, the leader is in a meeting!"
"Comrade, it's not that we can't wait, it's that this matter is urgent!"
"Hey! Dean Li, you're also a veteran, don't you understand this much?"
The person blocking them spoke to Dean Li and Zhang Demao.
"This matter really can't wait. If it spreads severely, Minister Gao might not be able to handle it!"
Dean Li didn't bother with him and pushed past him to enter.
"Hey! Dean Li! Dean Li!"
The person shouted.
Zhang Demao followed closely behind.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Facing the closed door, Dean Li had no choice but to knock.
He had been to this conference room many times before. It was large enough to accommodate twenty to thirty people.
The situation indicated that a meeting was indeed in progress.
But the current situation was more important, so he disregarded the protocol.
"Enter!"
Unsure of how many people were inside, Dean Li heard someone say and immediately pushed the door open and entered.
Zhang Demao knew in his heart that this was a desperate move. This step, once taken, might change the whole sky of San Dong City.
"Old Li, why is it you! Don't you know we're in a meeting? Can't some matters wait until the meeting is over?"
The speaker was Minister Gao, and his tone was stern.
"Minister Gao, please take a look at this first!"
Dean Li did not answer Minister Gao's question but handed the documents in Zhang Demao's hand to Minister Gao.
The ongoing meeting was thus abruptly interrupted.
Some people muttered softly, "This old guy, why can't he pick his timing!"
"Hmph! He's probably going to be in trouble this time. Wait and see, once he walks out of this door, he's no longer a dean!"
"Hmm, I wonder what matter is more important than Minister Gao's meeting!"
...
These words reached Zhang Demao's ears, and he truly worried for Dean Li.
At the same time, he hoped that his judgment of the virus this time was wrong.
"Alright, let's end today's meeting for now. Everyone, disperse!"
Minister Gao dismissed the attendees with a single sentence.
"Are you sure about this? This is a major event, and you can't just jump to conclusions."
"I'm sure. Look at the increase in people with colds in the hospital these past two days, and their symptoms are extremely similar!"
"That doesn't mean it's this virus causing the trouble. We need sufficient evidence!"
Minister Gao said cautiously.
His position forced him to consider the consequences.
"Really, I made this judgment based on my observations and the case reports collected by the hospital!"
Dean Li said with certainty.
Minister Gao pondered for a moment, his brows furrowed, and he said in a low voice:
"Don't rush to a conclusion yet. We need to go to the hospital to confirm. Also, quickly contact experts in this field to come and take a look before making a decision!"
"Okay, okay, okay!"
Dean Li could only agree.
With more people involved, his judgment could be fully confirmed.
Deep down, he also hoped his judgment was wrong, and he wouldn't regret it even if he was disciplined in the end.
The three of them, without any further words, headed straight for San Dong City Hospital.
On the way, Dean Li and Minister Gao were constantly on the phone, leaving Zhang Demao with no chance to speak.
"Where are those patients?"
Minister Gao asked as soon as he arrived at the hospital.
Dean Li glanced at Zhang Demao, who immediately replied:
"They are in the small hospital next door. I've had them gathered together for easier treatment!"
"Good, good, good!"
Minister Gao nodded with satisfaction.
The three of them walked towards the cold patients who had been isolated.
"There are also some doctors from our hospital among them!"
Zhang Demao added.
"Have the initial infected individuals been found? Where did it spread from?"
"This, we are still searching for the source, it hasn't been confirmed yet!"
Dean Li replied truthfully. Sudan Novel Network
"There should be earlier cases. Let's go see him first!"
Hearing Minister Gao's words, Zhang Demao quickly handed him a mask he had prepared. He then led him to the hospital, towards the person who was the earliest case.
"Dean Li, Director Zhang!"
A somewhat hoarse voice called out as they passed by.
Dean Li and Zhang Demao couldn't help but look. It was Li Langqing.
"We'll talk about whatever it is later! You should rest first!"