Shanghai reports two new cases of COVID-19

There were two new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in the first half of Tuesday, Shanghai authorities announced at the daily municipal news conference on the prevention and control of the epidemic.

The two individuals, natives of Fujian province who had worked and lived in Italy, arrived in Shanghai on Mar 8 after transiting in Moscow. Both were sent for further medical checks after showing symptoms at the airport.

According to Zheng Jin, the spokesperson for the municipal public health commission, Shanghai has been closely monitoring even the less severe and mild cases of infection, with a particular focus on patients' lung imaging examination results.

Multiple departments of the municipal hospitals, from respiration to infectious diseases and critical care medicine, have joined hands to work on the diagnosis and treatment of the virus, and this has helped to speed up the recovery process and reduce the occurrence of severe illness, Zheng said.

The municipality has also created individualized treatment plans for the severe and critical cases, most of whom are senior citizens with existing health problems.

There have been 344 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection in Shanghai as of Tuesday, with the majority having recovered and been released from hospital. There are still 22 patients in hospital, 14 of whom are in stable condition and eight in critical or severe condition. Three patients have died after getting infected with the virus.

All 319 patients released from hospital in Shanghai are in good condition. Designated hospitals and clinics have been making regular visits or phone calls to follow up on their recovery.