As of 10 a.m. on 20 April, the 7.1-magnitude quake, which struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in Qinghai Province last Wednesday, has claimed 2,046 lives and left 12,135 injured, of which 1,434 are in serious condition. 193 people remain missing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao returned to China last Saturday from a shortened visit to Latin America. Immediately after landing, he chaired a meeting and directed full deployment of relief work. He asked all relevant authorities to spare no effort to rescue those still buried alive, to treat the injured and take good care of the affected, and to speed up infrastructure construction and pave the way for relief work and post-quake reconstruction. Soon after the meeting, President Hu paid a day-long visit to worst-hit Gyegu Town in Yushu on Sunday. He visited special school for orphans and medical tents where injured Tibetans received treatment. President Hu assured affected locals of new homes and schools and steadfast relief work.

Currently more than 15,000 rescuers, including over 11,000 from the People's Liberation Army and armed police, 2,800 firefighters and special police forces, and 1,500 earthquake and mine accident rescuers, are still searching for quake survivors in Yushu. Most quake victims have settled in tents and were provided with food, clean water and other basic needs, and those with injuries and illness could be timely treated, according to officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The quake-relief materials were continuously transported to the disaster areas despite the snowfall and frozen road surface.

Power supplies in the quake zone were almost fully restored after hundreds of technicians repairing damaged power and water supply lines day in and day out for the past days, authorities said Monday. The supply could meet the needs of medical stations, shelters and rescue work.

Chinese disease-control experts joined with armed corps Sunday to begin large-scale disinfection of the debris and ruins. The disinfection aims to prevent water pollution, marmot plagues and outbreaks of respiratory and intestinal diseases in the wake of the disaster, local authorities said.

Social order in Yushu has remained stable, a Public Security Ministry official said. No criminal cases, major traffic accidents, or major security incidents have so far been reported in the quake zones.

The State Council of China said in an announcement on 20 April that to express the deep condolences for the quake victims, national flags will fly at half-mast in the country and its embassies and consulates overseas on 21 April.