COVID-19 patients who are in urgent need of medical care can take themselves to hospital. Such patients can call for an ambulance, quarantine taxi, or take their own vehicle. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced this newest option on its website late Tuesday. The policy also applies to those caring for COVID patients in the same household.
The new rule was announced after a two-year old child died from COVID-19 on Tuesday. Due to COVID protocols, the parents of the two-year old boy did not bring him to the hospital right away when his symptoms worsened. By the time health authorities arranged an ambulance to take the boy to hospital, he was unconscious and never recovered.
Under the new rule, people with COVID-19, and those living with and caring for COVID patients, have more flexibility over when to go to the hospital.
Pediatricians are also working on guidelines dictating how to care for children infected with COVID-19.
Officials also announced a new app (健康益友) that people can use to get free consultation from doctors and nurses on urgent medical matters 24 hours a day.