Guangdong held the 6th press conference on its fight against the novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (2019-nCoV) in Guangzhou today (January 31st).

Guangdong has confirmed 43 new cases as of 12 am, Jan. 31st, pushing the total number of infected patients to 436.

Chaozhou and Yunfu had so far 0 case.

7557 hospital beds available in Guangdong

According to the press conference, by January 31st, there are 7557 hospital beds in the province, with 4320 in 30 provincial-level designated hospitals, 1027 in 16 municipal-level designated hospitals and 2210 beds in back-up hospitals.

More emergency beds have been preparing. Guangzhou, Foshan and Dongguan are planning to establish a temporary hospital with 1000 beds respectively. Through refurbishing current hospitals, Shenzhen plans to add 1400 beds, and Zhuhai to add 800 beds.

Regarding to medical workers, now over 17,000 medical workers including doctors and nurses, are helping infected patients, most of whom have SARS treatment experiences.

Moreover, Guangdong has sent 342 medical workers to Wuhan, giving medical supports to three key hospitals in the city.

First remote medical consultation on virus done in Guangdong

Ten top medical experts in Guangdong province led by Zhong Nanshan, a prominent expert in respiratory diseases and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, conducted the first remote consultation of cases of pneumonia infections caused by the novel coronavirus.

The most competent medical professionals in the province have been organized for the treatment of pneumonia patients infected by the novel coronavirus, and they jointly discussed the treatment of five patients in serious and critical condition in the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen and the Zhuhai-based Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.

Hospitals offers online consultants and media services

A total of 57 hospitals in Guangdong have offered online consultants and medical services to fever patients and suspected novel coronavirus patients since January 23th. Latest statistics indicated that over 3,000 patients have enjoyed the services.

Guangzhou launches WeChat mini-program for health census and mask booking

Two novel coronavirus-infected children aged 2 and 13 have been cured and discharged from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in Guangzhou on Jan. 30th. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)

According to an announcement released on January 30th, all citizens and people who are staying in Guangzhou are required to register the departure & return records within 14 days and health status with a Wechat mini-program called "Suikang" (穗康).

Also, the mini-program will offer the reservation service for purchasing masks at 79 pharmacies since 20:00, January 31st. After successful reservation, citizens can purchase the masks with a reservation number and ID card in the next day. And each person can buy at most 5 masks per day.

Guangzhou processes foreigners' work permit application online from Jan. 30th

Yesterday (Jan. 30th) Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau announced that foreigners' work permit application will be processed online temporarily, regarding to the current situation of fighting against the novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia (2019-nCoV).

Foreigner's work permit application will be reviewed based on their digital materials submitted when applying. In principle the work permit and related legal materials will be sent via EMS, and delivery fee will be paid by applicators. If applicators insist to collect the work permit in the office, they should wear a surgical mask.

Authors: Nan, Will

Editors: Wing, Olivia