As new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported, blanket nucleic acid testing is being carried out in multiple areas of Hunan Province. Here are some suggestions for personal protection during nucleic acid testing.

 

 

First, nucleic acid testing shall be carried out within each community. Residents of different buildings shall be sampled at different times to prevent large gatherings.

 

Second, the testing instructions shall be released through the Weilinli app or community radio to remind the residents to take personal protection.

 

Third, sampling sites shall be set up in open areas with good hygiene and ventilation. Body temperature shall be monitored at the entrance with dedicated staff to remind residents to keep a safe distance.

 

Fourth, health workers shall be protected while sampling, and residents shall be reminded to wear masks and keep good hygiene.

 

 

Before leaving home, residents shall bring ID cards, wash hands and wear a mask properly (and prepare another mask if possible). Residents may bring a no-rinse disinfectant or no-rinse alcohol to disinfect their hands in time after sampling.

 

Residents are advised not to take public transportation, but to walk, ride or take a private vehicle to the nucleic acid testing sampling site. If public transportation is necessary, residents are required to wear a mask properly throughout the trip, maintain a safe distance, avoid touching public facilities and objects, and do not touch eyes, ears, nose, or mouth with hands.

 

When queuing at sampling sites, residents must keep a safe distance, wear a mask, and refrain from talking to others. When coughing, residents should cover their mouths and noses with tissues or elbows to avoid the risk of droplet transmission. Residents should follow the instructions for orderly sampling.

 

Before receiving a throat swab, residents may encase the mask in a plastic bag and place it in their pocket. When taking a throat swab, residents should relax as much as possible, tilt their head back, breathe deeply, and open their mouth to make the "ah" sound. During the collection process, throat discomfort may occur, so please remember not to cough, sneeze or vomit on the medical staff or others, but rather on the ground or on a tissue.

 

After collecting samples, residents should immediately wash their hands or wipe them with non-rinse alcohol, put on a spare mask, and deposit the used mask into the designated medical waste bin. Residents must leave immediately and not spit or vomit around the sampling site.

 

According to experts, the risk of cross-infection is low when the staff operates in a standardized manner, each resident wears a mask, a safe distance and outdoor air circulation is maintained.

 

The blanket nucleic acid testing is an exceptional measure to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic accurately and effectively. In view of the tight schedule, heavy tasks and high requirements, there may be a lack of staff capacity, poor venues, and long waiting time in the sampling process. We hereby kindly request your understanding.