Lessons learned

Experts said expanding the use of rapid antigen tests, enhancing logistical support for people in quarantine, and monitoring quarantined patients with special medical needs are key lessons learned from the outbreak in Shanghai that will ensure the dynamic clearance strategy is carried out effectively.

Zhao Jing, an official at the National Health Commission, said in an interview with Health News, a media outlet operated by the commission, that to cut off the virus' transmission chain, it is crucial to find all infected cases as soon as possible and place them in quarantine.

However, nucleic acid tests, while highly accurate in identifying new cases, can take a considerable amount of time and resources if done routinely and on a large scale. On the other hand, antigen tests, although less accurate, are convenient and produce quick results that are suitable for routine self-checks, Zhao said.

"These two methods are complementary and can help track cases more efficiently," he said. For instance, if a self-test returns positive, medical workers will arrive at that person's door to administer a nucleic acid test, which is more convenient than going door to door or organizing mass screening, he added.

Across the country, antigen tests are not only being used for those in quarantine, they are also acting as a safety precaution for people returning to work.

A shopping mall supervisor in the Hunan district of Shenyang, Liaoning province, said each of its workers were given five testing kits before resuming work. "This made everyone feel safe," he told the district's publicity department.

As of April 13, the National Medical Products Administration had approved 26 antigen testing kits. Last month, the authorities in Guangdong province ordered a stockpile of antigen tests equivalent to 10 percent of the local population to be acquired before April 15. Last year, 127 million people were resident in Guangdong.

In addition to tracking cases, logistical support is crucial to winning the battle against COVID-19.On Saturday, Yang Yuanfei, vice-governor of Changning district in Shanghai, said at a news briefing that more than 1,070 couriers had been hired to transport goods locally.

The district has also set up 18 courier stations to handle everyday needs and has established express channels so that couriers can take nucleic acid tests and get the results quickly.

Logistics companies are also conducting daily random antigen and nucleic acid tests on their employees. "These measures ensure that our couriers can do their jobs safely and that residents receive their deliveries safely," Yang said.

Wu Qianyu, an official at the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said on Friday that the city places great importance on helping those with special medical needs during the outbreak, particularly pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions.

Hospitals and other medical facilities have set up quarantine zones to serve these patients, providing prompt medical aid while they wait for COVID-19 test results, she said.

A number of highly capable medical facilities in Shanghai have been selected to focus on treating severe and critical cases in an effort to reduce the mortality rate, Wu added.