Guangdong Provincial Government held the 8th press conference regarding the fight against the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Guangzhou today (Feb. 2nd). As of midday February 2nd, Guangdong has reported a total 632 confirmed cases.

Guangdong tightens measures to contain epidemic as people return from holiday

According to the press conference, Guangdong has tightened measures to battle the epidemic as a growing number of people hit the road and begin their return to work after the Spring Festival holiday. 

People returning or coming to Guangdong must first have their temperatures checked, a move to curb the spread of the coronavirus during the peak travel period after the Spring Festival holiday comes to a close.

Now over 6000 staff in Guangdong have been sent to man over 2000 check points at airports, highways, national and provincial road entries to Guangdong, and 147 railway stations across the province. People with fevers will be quarantined and transferred for medical treatment.

Today (Feb. 2nd) Ministry of Transport of China announced an extension of the free highway service until February 8th. Passenger cars of seven seats or less and motorcycles can use toll roads, bridges and tunnels for free during the Chinese Spring Festival.

No specific drug to treat coronavirus at present

At the press conference, Hou Jinling, an expert from Nanfang Hospital, indicated at present there are no drugs able to specifically target the coronavius, although the WHO has indicated medical teams across the globe have vaccines are under development.

The coronavirus is an acute infectious disease with a relatively short course, which mainly can be overcome by treatment of symptoms and the patient’s own immune system. After recovery, a patient will not become a chronic carrier.

Novel coronavirus can spread via digestive tract: Zhong Nanshan

Zhong Nanshan confirmed that the novel coronavirus could be transmitted through the digestive tract, warning the public to pay even closer attention to hygiene, according to Nanfang Daily.

Zhong is the head of a national team of experts set up for control and prevention of the coronavirus and an academic from the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Chinese experts in Wuhan found viral nucleic acids in patients' stools and rectal swabs after noticing that the initial symptoms of some patients infected with the coronavirus was diarrhea only, and not fever, which is more common.

Based on the current study, fecal-oral transmission is not the main transmission route, emphasized Hou at the press conference.

Guangzhou's mini-program to upgrade online payment for mask purchases

Now Guangzhou residents are eligible for a free delivery service when making a reservation online. After a three-day test run commencing Friday evening, the mini-program "Suikang" (穗康) will upgrade its online payment facilities, so that people can safely purchase masks from home.

It is to decrease the number of crowds gathering in front of pharmacies which bring with them the risk of spreading the virus. The specific payment plan will be announced soon.

China Southern Airlines brings back 89 stranded Hubei residents from Thailand

On February 1st China Southern Airlines sent a chartered flight to Phuket to return 89 stranded Hubei residents (including 3 babies) to Wuhan.

According to the China News Agency, flights chartered by the Chinese government has brought back to Hubei 399 residents previously stranded in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and other countries since January 31st.

Authors: Nan, Will

Editors: Olivia, Simon