Xin Changxing, secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, called for solid efforts to ensure progress in new phase of COVID-19 response so that the people can have a peaceful and joyful Chinese New Year festival.

Xin made the statement during a meeting attended by the province's leading team in charge of epidemic prevention and control on January 17.

The meeting noted that medical workers have worked around the clock in recent times and made the biggest contribution to COVID-19 response while grassroots workers have also been committed to their jobs with the support of the people. The province's fight against COVID-19 is still at a critical stage and should not let the guard down as many people are travelling during the Spring Festival holiday and the rural area faces increasing pressure.

Jiangsu will focus on rural areas, nursing homes, welfare houses, medical institutions, childcare centers, primary and middle schools and other key venues, according to the meeting. Giving priority to the elderly, pregnant women, children and patients with underlying conditions, the province need to do a good job in key steps, such as vaccination, early diagnosis and referral treatment of severe cases.

To prevent severe cases, Jiangsu will require the communities to play more prominent role, offer timely help to people in an advanced age and those with underlying medical conditions, ensure the supply of common drugs and key equipment in primary medical institutions, and effectively improve the ability of early diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to supporting enterprises to expand production of medical and emergency supplies, Jiangsu will improve the COVID-19 response and treatment in rural areas, help township health centers to get ready the supplies, and enhance the service capacity. The province will distribute health kits in advance to people in difficulties and continue the vaccination campaign.

Efforts will also be made to prevent imported cases with measures taken mainly in ports and passenger flights, and strengthen the capacity building for the epidemic monitoring and early warning.

The meeting also stressed the need to strengthen protection and care for medical staff and frontline workers.