The novel coronavirus is largely under control in Shanghai and local authorities are focusing on sporadic imported and domestic cases. Sources of infection have been confirmed in all reported cases, with close contacts in such cases placed under quarantine and medical observation, Wu Jinglei, director of the Shanghai Health Commission said yesterday.

The commission will offer technical guidance for reopened businesses and schools, which have gradually resumed operations as the pandemic wanes in China.

“Detection of sporadic cases will become routine in the city, which has perfected a citywide monitoring and alert network to achieve early detection, early testing, early quarantine and early treatment,” he said.

“All the fever clinics in local hospitals and some 200 fever monitoring spots at community health facilities are taking responsibility for fever patients screening, registration, testing, transfers and tracking.

“CT machines are installed for fever clinics to ensure patient safety and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

The city has been expanding its nucleic acid testing abilities to ensure the smooth operation of businesses and schools.

As of May 25, over 21,000 workers, 7,000 students, teachers and school workers and over 74,000 individuals had been tested.

As local schools have gradually reopened since late April, about 15,000 students with fever or digestive symptoms have received coronavirus tests.

And none have tested positive.

“We will further step up our infectious disease reporting system and improve risk analysis, evaluation and alerts,” Wu said.

“The infectious disease alert system includes monitoring of people with suspicious symptoms, a reporting system based on e-medical records and public health and reporting in possible risk for public health events,” Wu said.

Common standards

Local health authorities have been working to streamline health services. Since November, all city-level hospitals have accepted the results of tests and checks from each other, covering 35 testing and imaging items.

Such standardization can be promoted to all district-level hospitals to achieve mutual recognition this year.

This will save time and trouble for patients and reduce medical costs.

“All test results are also uploaded to the personal account of each resident’s cloud account on the Health Cloud app,” Wu said.

“Patients can simply take their smartphone instead of all their medical files when seeing a doctor.

“Such a system among hospitals in the Yangtze River Delta region is also under development.”

Relatives can help

While technology improves the access to health services, some of the city’s elderly have struggled to use smartphones for medical reservations, testing and payment.

“The app has a special function called ‘relative account,’ which people can use to connect the medical information of children and elderly parents,” Wu said.

“Their relatives’ account can also show on the app for tests, reservations, payments and other smart operations.”

The online service launched by local hospitals also provides convenience for people with chronic diseases. They can receive consultations, prescriptions and pay via the Internet.