In order to alleviate public's psychological confusion and discomfort amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) epidemic outbreak, experts have developed guidelines of emergency psychological crisis intervention in the pneumonia outbreak, said an official from China's National Health Commission (NHC) at a press conference on Monday.

The guidelines will provide different groups, including the general public, those under home quarantine, close contacts, suspected patients, diagnosed patients and front-line staff, with solutions to intervene psychological problems they may have, said Wang Bin, deputy director-general of NHC's Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control.

The NHC has also asked provinces to coordinate multiple department and resources to provide more psychological-counseling hotlines besides the existing ones.

"In such a special period of epidemic prevention and control, it is very important to maintain a rational and objective mind, both at the social level and for everyone," said Wang.

Clinical trials of new anti-coronavirus drugs under way

Clinical data on novel coronavirus-associated drugs is being collected, and a number of medical institutions are conducting clinical trials of Remdesivir, a new drug tissue, said the NHC spokesman Song Shuli.

The New England Journal of Medicine on Friday published online articles about novel coronavirus cases, one described the diagnosis and treatment of the first confirmed case in the United States and its clinical manifestations and shows Remdesivir has a better efficacy against the novel coronavirus, but its effectiveness can't be further verified until large-scale clinical trials are done.

Along with the development of the epidemic, China has issued its fourth trial version of the diagnosis and treatment for novel coronavirus infection, elaborating on the medicines used for general treatment and severe cases, added Song.

Optimism, confidence are the best immunity

Officials introduced measures for different people to cope with stress and psychological shock.

For those who have been diagnosed or suspected, adjustment methods can include self-adjustment, psychological assistance hotline, and going to professional institutions for medical treatment.

"Many reactions now are normal to emergencies. It is important to recognize that everyone will have some negative emotions such as anxiety and worry after experiencing a major negative event. Accept and allow yourself to have these emotions, and let them out moderately," said Yang Fude, president of Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, and "maintaining a stable state helps reduce stress" through deep breathing, listening to music and meditation.

For the general public, who might be suffering from keeping wondering if they are infected, constantly taking temperature, even insomnia, or always paying attention to negative information, Yang listed six methods. The first one is to pay moderate attention to the epidemic and learn ways of prevention at a fixed time every day. The second is to take temperature at a fixed time every day.

They should also follow a regular routine. It's good to chat with trusted family members and friends via WeChat, phone calls and other methods. Yang also suggested doing relaxation training and using the free time at home to do what they didn't have time for, like reading novels or watching TV series, and last but not least, seek medical advice in case of fever.

"We should believe that we have taken strong measures which will definitely be effective. We should also believe in ourselves. Keep calm and optimistic. An optimistic and confident heart is the best and most powerful immunity," said Wang.