A staff member teaches a woman and a girl how to disinfect their hands while waiting to be registered at the new transit hub venue in the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, on March 25, 2020. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang Wenhong, leader of the Shanghai team of experts in the treatment of COVID-19, said the spread of science and knowledge is essential in preventing the spread of the epidemic.

Zhang, who also is head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Shanghai Huashan Hospital, has become a public figure in recent months for his witty words explaining to the public on how to protect themselves from the disease.

"My colleagues and I know that medical treatment is too late for containing the epidemic. The best method is to prevent people from getting sick," he said at a news conference on Thursday in Beijing.

In the past two months, Zhang has given dozens of interviews to various media organizations. He encouraged people to stay at home "as a soldier (to fight the virus)", "because by staying at home, you can 'suffocate the virus'. "

Zhang and his team also have published many articles on COVID-19 for laymen on social media platforms, with each article gaining tens of thousands in readership.

His book, Professor Zhang Wenhong's Advice During COVID-19 Outbreak, has been translated into 10 languages, including Italian, Persian and Japanese, and published overseas.

"We didn't charge royalties, because this book is not for money, but aims to spread knowledge," Zhang said, adding that the book has sold more than 1 million copies so far.

In a livestream communication with Chinese students in the United States on March 26, Zhang answered their questions and concerns, and the video was viewed by millions of people.

"This scale of popularizing COVID-19 knowledge cannot be done if I just treat patients in the wards," he said.