People-centered approaches

Zhangjiajie, a popular tourist destination in Hunan Province, recently registered a new cluster of infections. Local authorities provided free accommodation and food for stranded visitors and arranged medical staff to conduct nucleic acid tests for tourists at hotels.

A psychological medical team provided mental health consulting to residents, tourists, and medical workers.

The province also organized experts in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to develop customized treatment programs for severe cases, moderate cases, mild ones, and asymptomatic carriers, respectively.

Since the outbreak, Yangzhou has established a rapid response mechanism and introduced relief measures for socially disadvantaged groups. The city had given living allowances totaling 3.7 million yuan (about $572,000) to 5,013 households as of Aug 10.

The city also provided daily necessities and living subsidies to people in difficulties, especially persons with disabilities and children.

On Sunday, the first five patients were discharged from Yangzhou No.3 People's Hospital. They were transferred to another hospital for 14 days of recovery observation before returning to their communities.

"I am happy to see patients who are better and discharged from the hospital. It has greatly improved our confidence in the fight against the epidemic," said Shu Yusheng, president of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital in Yangzhou.

"The nutrition recipe, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation training make us feel relieved. We have confidence in full recovery soon," said an asymptomatic patient who received rehabilitation treatment in Changde city, Hunan.