China has focused on controlling the chains of transmission of the virus in the fight against the epidemic of the new coronavirus, said a health official on Sunday.
Prevention and control measures, established by a joint mechanism, include controlling the source of infection, interrupting transmission of the virus, and protecting the public, especially the at-risk population, said Zhou Yuhui , an official from the National Health Commission, at a press conference in Beijing.
As for the control of the source of infection, the Commission has not stopped updating a prevention and control plan and has directed the local work in terms of case identification, reporting, epidemiological investigation and managing close contacts, he said.
Zhou said community workers have been mobilized to track personnel returning from areas severely affected by the virus and those who have had contact with the sick. They made arrangements for these people.
Illegal activities such as hunting, trading and consuming wild animals have been severely punished, said Zhou, noting that supervision of wild animal markets has been stepped up to ward off public health risks at source .
Regarding the interruption of the transmission of the virus, Mr. Zhou said that measures had been adopted to prevent the virus from spreading by means of public transport vehicles, adding that the Spring Festival holidays were extended and that residents are encouraged to stay at home or work at home.
Tourist and entertainment activities have been suspended in order to reduce mass gatherings and minimize population flows.
To protect the public, the Commission has developed disease prevention guides for both the general public and the at-risk population, popularizing knowledge about health and mobilizing the population to participate in prevention work, he said. Zhou.
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