Prevention and control measures to further optimize COVID-19 response
Publication of the English version was authorized by The National Health Commission of People's Republic of China.
Abstract
On November 11, 2022, the Chinese government released the Scientific and Targeted Prevention and Control Measures to Optimize COVID-19 Response. Since that time, adjusted measures have been implemented throughout China, leading to major shifts in implementation of the national prevention and control strategy. On the basis of the current situation of the epidemic and the evolving SARS-Cov-2 variants, an additional 10 specifications (referred to as “the 10-point measures”) were officially released on December 7, 2022, in an effort to further optimize the prevention and control measures. The latest adjustments pertain to the specification of: precise delineation of high-risk areas, nucleic acid testing scheme, isolation and health monitoring, restriction and lifting of high-risk areas, medicine supply, vaccination rollout among older people, health status of key populations, social functioning, and campus response.
Abbreviations
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- COVID-19
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- coronavirus disease 2019
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- Ct
-
- cycle threshold
On November 11, 2022, the Chinese government released the Scientific and Targeted Prevention and Control Measures to Optimize coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response. Since that time, adjusted measures have been implemented throughout China, leading to major shifts in implementation of the national prevention and control strategy. On the basis of the current situation of the epidemic and the evolving SARS-Cov-2 variants, an additional 10-point notice was officially released on December 7, 2022, in an effort to further optimize the prevention and control measures.
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Precise delineation of high-risk areas.
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High-risk areas should be delineated according to specific buildings, units, floors, and households, and must not be arbitrarily expanded to areas such as neighborhoods, communities, and streets (towns). Any form of temporary lockdown is prohibited.
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- (2)
Adjustment to nucleic acid testing scheme.
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Mass nucleic acid testing will no longer be arranged by administrative regions. The scope and frequency of nucleic acid tests should be further reduced and rapid antigen tests can be rolled out according to local circumstances. Personnel working in high-risk positions or people from high-risk areas should undergo nucleic acid testing as required. Other residents will be offered voluntary nucleic acid testing if needed. Proof of negative nucleic acid test results and digital health codes will no longer be required for entry into public spaces, except for special places such as nursing homes, social welfare centers, medical institutions, childcare facilities, primary schools, and secondary schools. Important administrative agencies, large enterprises, and some specific places may have preventive and control measures determined by local authorities. For people traveling across regions, proof of negative nucleic acid test results, digital health codes checks, and testing upon arrival are not required.
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- (3)
Adjustment for isolation.
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People infected with SARS-Cov-2 should be classified as follows: infected patients with no or mild symptoms who meet the requirements for home isolation can be isolated at home, or voluntarily choose to isolate at centralized quarantine facilities. Health monitoring is required during home isolation, and patients are released from isolation if they meet the requirements of two consecutive nucleic acid tests with a cycle threshold value of ≥35 on Days 6 and 7 of isolation; if the disease progresses, the patient should be promptly transferred for treatment at a designated hospital. Close contacts of confirmed cases who meet the requirements for home isolation can be isolated at home for 5 days, or voluntarily choose to isolate at centralized quarantine facilities. Isolation may be lifted if nucleic acid test results are negative on Day 5.
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- (4)
Restriction and lifting of high-risk areas.
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If no new infections are reported in a high-risk area for 5 consecutive days, the restriction should be lifted promptly.
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- (5)
Supporting the public's basic need to purchase medicines.
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All pharmacies must operate normally and must not shut down at will. The public shall not be restricted from purchasing over-the-counter medicines such as antipyretics, cough, antiviral, and cold treatments online or offline.
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- (6)
COVID-19 vaccination rollout among older people.
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Local authorities are urged to create targeted plans to accelerate vaccinations among those aged 60 and above, particularly those aged 80 and above. Special queues, temporary vaccination sites, mobile vaccination vans, and other measures can be set up to streamline the services. Medical institutions at all levels should ramp up the training for medical workers to accurately evaluate vaccine contraindications. Scientific education and public awareness should be improved to facilitate the promotion of vaccination among the older people. Local governments can use incentives to encourage older people to get vaccinated.
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- (7)
Health status of key populations.
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Primary care institutions and family doctors should take on the role of “gatekeeper,” identifying older people with cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, immune deficiency, and other diseases in the jurisdiction, as well as their COVID-19 vaccination status. Graded management of residents should be implemented accordingly.
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- (8)
Ensure the normal functioning of society and basic medical services.
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Non-high-risk areas must not restrict people's movement and must not halt work, production, or business. The “white list” should include employees in the medical, public security, transportation and logistics, superstores, security supply, electricity, water, and heating industries. Personal protection, vaccination, and health monitoring should be practiced by relevant personnel to ensure normal medical services and access to basic living supplies. It is necessary to strive to maintain normal production and work order, as well as timely response to peoples' basic needs.
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- (9)
Ensure the safety of the people.
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To ensure smooth channels for medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and other events, it is strictly prohibited to obstruct fire escapes, unit doorways, and community entryways in any form. Communities should connect with designated medical institutions to make medical services more convenient for minors, pregnant women, seniors who live alone and people with disabilities or chronic diseases. Isolated people, patients, and front-line staff, among others, should be offered psychological consultation and mental health care.
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- (10)
Adjustment of prevention and control measures on campus.
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Schools should comply with the requirements for targeted prevention and control: schools without an outbreak should carry out normal offline teaching activities. Supermarkets, cafeterias, stadiums, libraries, and other campus facilities should be open as normal. Schools in which an outbreak has occurred should precisely delineate high-risk areas and maintain normal teaching and daily routines outside the risk area.
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The official notice of the policy can be found at: [No. 113 [2022] The Taskforce for Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for COVID-19 under the State Council of P.R. China on December 7, 2022]: http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/zhengcwj/202212/8278e7a7aee34e5bb378f0e0fc94e0f0.shtml.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
The Taskforce for Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for COVID-19 under the State Council of P.R. China: Conceptualization (lead). Zongjiu Zhang: Supervision (lead). You Wu: Writing - original draft (lead).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Not applicable.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declares no conflict of interest.
ETHICS STATEMENT
Not applicable.
INFORMED CONSENT
Not applicable.
Citing Literature
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
No data involved.