Although the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has slowed down in China, governments at all levels should continue prevention and control on high alert as the global challenge of the contagious disease is increasing.
With the number of patients growing in other countries, imported cases of infection have become a new challenge for China.
For instance, seven imported cases from Italy were found in Qingtian, a county in Zhejiang Province, east China, on March 2. Although the number of imported COVID-19 cases is far less than the domestic confirmed ones, they will definitely affect the improved situation in China without timely countermeasures, and could result in a new round of outbreaks.
The local authorities must make comprehensive plans for possible imported cases, including detection, quarantine, diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, it is necessary to adopt some preventive actions. They should not let down their guard before the epidemic is eliminated globally.
(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in China Youth Daily on March 4)