Beijing Municipal Health Commission has recently strengthened the regularized COVID-19 containment protocol for community health services, urging them to better educate and train their medical staff, strengthen their sense of responsibility and risk awareness, and always be prepared for worst-case scenarios and ensure that there is no letup, no loophole, and no rebound in cases.

Community medical facilities are required to enforce strict preliminary examination and triage, inquire patients about their detailed medical and contact history, and carry out early-stage epidemiological investigations. Serving as first detectors, they must do a solid job in early COVID-19 detection, reporting, quarantine and referral. Everyone must have the body temperature taken upon entering these facilities. Those detected with warning symptoms must be diagnosed and treated at the nearest designated medical institution as required, and have their information registered for follow-up inquiries and strictly traceable management.

Community medical facilities must work with greater precision and be more sensitive to subtle anomalies. When fever, cough, sore throat or other warning symptoms are detected among close contacts, overseas returnees and other groups that deserve close attention, the centers must swiftly refer them to designated medical institutions according to containment protocols, report the information, and conduct follow-up inquiries as part of the strictly traceable management process.

Health authorities also urge community medical facilities to enhance protection for susceptible populations and give better guidance to businesses and schools for reopening. More attention should be paid to the health management of the elderly, people with chronic health conditions or severe mental disorders, children under six, pregnant and postpartum women, and other groups with special needs, to help them prevent diseases. More health outreach programs should be carried out to raise the risk awareness of residents and encourage them to keep good personal hygiene by wearing masks, washing hands, airing rooms, and avoiding gathering.