Why are mild-symptom patients treated at designated places?

It is important to note that the information provided in this Series is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

According to the latest Diagnosis and Treatment Plan issued by the Chinese National Health Commission, COVID-19 patients are divided into four categories based on the severity of their symptoms: mild, moderate, severe and critical. Researches find out that 80% of patients are mild and moderate, 15% are severe and 5% are critical severe. Patients with mild symptoms get positive results from the nucleic acid test. Such patients do not have other special symptoms. The main considerations of treating mild patients at designated places are as follows:

The first purpose is to avoid patients with mild symptoms becoming a new source of infection. If there are a large number of patients with mild symptoms in communities, they will become major sources of infection and accelerate the spread of the epidemic.

The second purpose is to ensure that patients with mild symptoms have access to treatment and psychotherapy in a timely and effective manner. China quickly hospitalized and treated all mild patients and provided them with corresponding medical care and psychological intervention as needed.

The third purpose is to ensure that patients with mild symptoms can be referred in time when condition worsens. The condition of those patients can be monitored in real time at designated places. Medical staff could be informed when conditions of patients worsen and help timely transfer these patients to a regular hospital for intensive medical treatment.