Govt to strengthen steps against COVID

China will firmly implement regular management measures of the COVID-19 disease as well as ramp up medical equipment supplies, health infrastructure and triaged procedures this year, according to a draft report submitted to the national legislators on Sunday.

As the country has downgraded the COVID-19 disease from Class A to B, it will beef up epidemic monitoring and early precaution capability and improve information reporting systems, said the report.

The report was prepared by National Development and Reform Commission and distributed at the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress held in Beijing on Sunday morning.

China will also further increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among the elderly, address weaknesses in rural healthcare and expand capacity of intensive care resources.

It will also promote renovation or establishment of rural hostels and hotels that can be quickly converted into medical facilities in case of health emergencies.

Regarding medical supplies, the report said that demands of medical institutions will be secured and preferable policies will be provided for key centers such as elderly care and social welfare centers.

More efforts will also be devoted to improving medical and environmental health infrastructure and intensifying implementation of triaged medical procedures, it said.