The State Council Information Office (SCIO) of China released a white paper, "Fighting COVID-19 China in Action," on Sunday. The white paper shares China's effective measures in fighting the virus. Also, the document details China's rapid mobilization and response in building a nationwide prevention and control system.

The white paper points out that, in response to the high density and high mobility of people during the Spring Festival, China carried out rapid social mobilization across the whole country, adhered to the law, used scientific and precise prevention and control measures, and implemented large-scale public health response measures nationwide.

Controlling the source of infection

In terms of controlling the source of infection, China has taken effective measures to give priority attention to the "four groups" – confirmed cases, suspected cases, patients with fever, and close contacts to patients. According to the white paper, effective prevention measures, such as "early detection, early reporting, early isolation, and early diagnosis," have minimized the infection rate.

While keeping all its outbound routes closed, Wuhan carried out two rounds of community-based mass screening of its 4.21 million households, leaving no person or household unchecked, ruling out all potential sources of infection.

Initially, slow nucleic acid testing led to difficulties in patients being diagnosed and admitted to hospitals. But, with the increased production of testing kits, the initial short supply was overcome in the shortest possible period.

Cutting off the channels of transmission

China has huge people flows. In the absence of vaccines or treatment protocols, self-isolation, as a standard quarantine measure, proved to be the most effective non-medical means to stop the spread of the virus. China mobilized an unprecedentedly large-scale public health response, and the exceptional measures of social isolation and the discretionary and humane approach to social control stalled the spread of the virus and proved to be the most critical factor throughout the country.

Outbound travel was suspended, and tight restrictions were imposed in Wuhan City and the surrounding Hubei Province to cut off the virus' transmission as much as possible. And, intra-city public transport in Wuhan and many other cities in Hubei were suspended.

Besides, differentiated traffic controls were implemented in areas outside Hubei to prevent the outbreak from spilling over.

The basic line of community defense

Communities are on the frontlines in prevention and control of the epidemic. Empowering communities to implement prevention and control measures is the key to victory over COVID-19.

The white paper indicated that during the epidemic prevention and control period, Wuhan adopted a rigid regimen of community isolation. Enhanced prevention and control measures were taken in places such as nursing homes, welfare institutions, and mental health institutions.

People across China stayed at home, following the call for self-isolation. On top of different local requirements like home isolation at the designated time, working from home, and online learning, 14-day home isolation after cross-regional travel was strictly implemented. Non-essential travel was denied even after the end of the isolation period, and this was an important contribution to cutting off the virus transmission chain.

Establishing a dynamic management system

China promoted an epidemic control and prevention strategy with tailored measures for different areas. All county-level areas were categorized as low-, medium-, or high-risk based on their population and degree of epidemic prevalence. According to the situation of the epidemic, the dynamic list was adjusted in time, and corresponding prevention and control measures were taken.

Surveys were conducted among focus groups of people and in key areas. Abnormal cases found at enterprises that had resumed production, at schools and kindergartens that reopened and in nursing homes for older people and facilities for the disabled could also be traced and investigated.

The effective rule of law guarantee

China has formally included COVID-19 in the statutory notification and control system for infectious diseases according to the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.

In the meantime, strengthening publicity and legal services for epidemic prevention and control, and enhancing people's awareness of the rule of law, have also been an important link in the rule of law in regards to epidemic prevention and control. 

Respecting scientific rules

The white paper declared that in the prevention and control of the epidemic, China has solved the difficulties of epidemic prevention and control by taking into account the national conditions and followed the rules of epidemiological investigation. Secondly, the country pays attention to the role of experts, respects their opinions, conducts international exchanges and cooperation, and maintains communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries and regions.

To build platforms for exchanges between countries, the Chinese media has designed a TV program COVID-19 Frontline and a newspaper column Fighting COVID-19 the Chinese Way, among others, the white paper highlighted.

China has formulated six editions of COVID-19 prevention and control plans, released 15 prevention and control technical manuals and six psychological counseling programs for key populations and places, and detailed these into 50 prevention and control specific technical guidelines. These measures have further improved the scientific and precise nature of epidemic prevention and control.

(Cover: Donghua Street and Zhongli Community, Dongcheng District, Beijing. The community implemented the epidemic prevention and control amid COVID-19 , May 25, 2020. /VCG)