Nanjing collects over 5 million samples for COVID-19 tests

2021-07-23 15:40:00

After nine workers at the Nanjing Lukou International Airport tested positive for COVID-19 on July 20, the city has rushed to launch a citywide nucleic acid testing, already collecting samples of more than 5 million of the 9.3 million residents by noon on July 22.

All hospitals and medical agencies gave top priority to the campaign. Xu Fang, head of the nursing department at the Health Service Centre in Shazhou Sub-district, said all 100 plus staff members except two went to assist the testing work. Jiang Lulu, a medical worker in the campaign, spent all day in taking samples until 3:00 am and then took a break for just two hours before starting to work again. She said she is prepared for the challenges and hopes to complete the testing as soon as possible.

Medical workers are making preparation before taking samples. Photo/Wu Jun

Local residents volunteered to give a helping hand at the High School Affiliated to Nanjing Normal University, which is home to the largest testing site in Gulou District. Xue Chenglei, a healthcare officer at Yijiangmen Sub-district in Gulou, said cooling products to beat the summer heat were available for medical professionals and they can also take turns to have a break every 2-3 hours.

According to Xu Minsheng, an inspector at the Nanjing Municipal Health Commission, the city has 76 testing facilities with a daily testing capacity of up to 3.5 million samples.

The mass testing is being assisted by around 50,000 volunteers as well as 14,000 social workers, who perform a wide variety of tasks such as information collection and logistics support.

Volunteers help taking information for residents. Photo/Wan Chengpeng

Food and drinks are provided for medical workers at a testing site in Jianye district. Photo/Yu Ping

Amid the citywide testing, Nanjing has also strengthened COVID-19 response measures at railway stations and the airport. Rail passengers are required to show their ID, health QR code and result of COVID-19 testing taken within 48 hours. In addition, the airport has tightened its epidemic prevention and control, including deep cleaning and disinfection of trolleys, charging piles, lift buttons and seats every two hours to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading. Nearly 19,000 people working in the airport have had their samples taken and the testing was also conducted at 121 sites in the terminal.

According to a transport officer of the province’s COVID-19 response task force, Jiangsu has managed to keep a good order of trips by roads, railways, waterways and air routes in fighting the pandemic.