RESIDENTS are advised to take a nucleic acid test if they return from COVID-19 high-risk areas after the May Day holiday, said Qiu Chen, head of Shenzhen People’s Hospital, on a radio program Wednesday, Shenzhen TV reported.

Qiu said travel is not recommended at present, but citizens can choose to take a nucleic acid test based on the epidemic prevention measures of the places where they traveled to during the holiday.

If the area is classified as high-risk, citizens are suggested to go to a hospital for testing after returning, according to Qiu. For those who want to take a test at Shenzhen People’s Hospital, they can make a reservation or directly go to the testing clinic to give a swab sample.

The total process – from receiving the test until getting the results – takes around four hours, he added.

Qiu also reminds everyone that in addition to patients who are hospitalized in key hospitals, their caregivers should also receive a nucleic acid test.

Qiu said that the epidemic has brought some challenges to the hospital, such as facilitating patient flow within the hospital. When febrile patients arrive at the hospital, those without epidemiological history will be guided to the emergency department, while those with epidemiological history go to the fever clinic to avoid cross infection.

The hospital has also recruited 100 foreign-language volunteers from its staff, as some imported cases are foreigners, who usually express their conditions more clearly in their mother tongue, according to Qiu. (Zhang Yu)