Health kits to protect vulnerable from virus

Special free health kits for COVID-19 prevention and control are being provided to children, seniors and those in need in major cities as the country optimizes its policies to fight the pandemic.

The health kits include medicines, antigen reagents, disinfectants, face masks and thermometers, and are expected to help reduce the number of infections in communities, authorities said.

Zhang Chunhong, a senior doctor at the Jiangxia district health bureau in Wuhan, Hubei province, said the health kits being distributed in Jiangxia mainly include honeysuckle throat syrup, traditional Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen, alcohol wipes, masks and antigen tests.

"Masks and alcohol spray and wipes are used for prevention while Lianhua Qingwen and honeysuckle can help relieve symptoms," he said.

According to Zhang, more than 21,000 health kits have been distributed so far to front-line medical staff, elderly people and those with chronic diseases in the district.

At the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, health kits have also been distributed to locals in seven subdistricts starting last week.

Yu Meixia, a staff member at Hubei Jiaotou Wuhuang Expressway Operation Management, said she was given a health kit at work last week.

"For our front-line workers, it is necessary to wear masks and gloves at work, and medicines are effective in avoiding becoming infected, so the kit is timely," she said.

"The company asked us to maintain good personal protection every day and immediately report to the company and rest at home when we feel unwell or develop relevant symptoms," said Yu.