Shandong Province urges mass testing for COVID-19 in Qingdao after 3 asymptomatic carriers found

Coastal city Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province is urged to launch mass testing for COVID-19 as soon as possible after three asymptomatic carriers tested positive in the city. They are thought to have contracted the virus at the local hospital caring for imported cases.

The Shandong provincial government urged the city to carry out mass testing of close contacts and release information to the public in timely manner. The provincial authority also said that they would mobilize resources across the province to support the testing and investigation in Qingdao.

As a designated hospital for mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, the Qingdao Chest Hospital conducts very strict management over fever patients, as do other fever clinics in the city, the Global Times learned from a Qingdao doctor who preferred to remain anonymous.

Febrile patients have to undergo thorough clinical screening, including complete blood count, chest CT scan, and nucleic acid test for SARS-Cov-2 according to their condition, before they can leave the hospitals, according to the doctor.

The National Health Commission reported on Sunday that a total of 21 imported COVID-19 cases were discovered on Saturday across the country.

Editor：Lotus