COVID-19 patients can now self-monitor health after release

The COVID-19 patients who are discharged from the hospital and released from medical observation will take self-health monitoring at home in Shanghai, Wu Jinglei, director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said at a news briefing on Saturday.

"Research and clinical practices have shown that people have immune cells in their body producing antibodies which work against the virus after they recovered from the COVID-19 infection. No cases in Shanghai have shown cured patients could still transmit the virus so far," Wu said.

According to Wu, patients are allowed to be released from medical observation if the values of the cycle threshold (CT) - which indicates if a coronavirus-infected person is contagious - of the N gene and ORF gene are both 35 and above or if they have tested negative in two consecutive nucleic acid tests at least 24 hours apart, based on the latest COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment guidelines.

Patients' belongings and their living environment will be disinfected. Disposable items, garbage and objects left in hospital by the patients will be treated as medical waste, Wu said.