The country's countryside lacks proper medical services and resources.

Speaking to healthcare workers, Covid patients and local cadres via video links in a Lunar New Year message, Xi also called on frontline medical workers to increase self-protective measures during the current wave of infections, which he described as “fierce and serious”, South China Morning Post.

Xi urged the workers to take proper precautions and safeguards.

“We must strengthen the protection and care of our medical staff to ensure your health,” state broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying as reported by the newspaper.

China has been witnessing a surge in COVID-19 infections ever since it abandoned the zero COVID policy.