A Chinese medical team in Wuhan is rapidly expanding clinical diagnostic plans for patients by using ultrasonic testing for not just lungs, but also the heart and blood vessels.

The new device not only reduces infection risks, but also provides greater convenience for doctors and patients.

"Heart problems are likely to emerge among pneumonia patients," said Li Jing, a cardiologist from Beijing Hospital. "Given the significant lung damage due to COVID-19, patients will also develop cardiovascular conditions."

To examine the condition of the lungs, imageological diagnosis is one of the key options.

Health authorities used CT scanning as part of their diagnosis plan when China's nucleic acid testing kits were in short supply, but that treatment was later removed.

"The radioactive measure cannot be undertaken on a daily basis as the condition of the lungs is likely to vary day to day," Li noted.

Hence, the use of CT scanning is limited.

Among the medical equipment that Li and his aid team brought to Wuhan is an alternative ultrasonic device that the team believes will provide even more comprehensive diagnoses.

The doctor said that ultrasonic specialists don't need to be physically present in the epicenter to tackle the issue. With simple training, medical workers are able to transmit profiles and data to specialists for diagnosis.

"The new device is portable, cellphone-sized and convenient," Li said, noting it's now being applied in some hospitals in Wuhan and outside the province.

During Li's medical aid to Tibet from 2015 to 2017, his ultrasonic team carried out the region's first-ever newborn screening for congenital disease.

His team has also provided the children with free medical procedures in Beijing.