Record number of COVID-19 patients discharged

More than 3,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19  in Shanghai have recovered and were discharged from hospitals and released from medical observation on Sunday, a record daily high since the onset of the outbreak which started early last month, the municipal government said on Monday.

"The figure for Monday is expected to reach a new high," said Wu Jinglei, director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, at a press briefing.

He added that the authorities are currently racing against time to organize the efficient transportation of infected people to medical institutions and makeshift hospitals, and ensuring coordination between the hospitals and neighborhoods to ensure that the recovered patients arrive home smoothly.

"Recovered individuals must undergo seven days of self-health monitoring at home, refrain from going out, stay in a well-ventilated room separated from their family members if possible, and avoid close contact with them,"  said Jiang Rui, director of the Shanghai Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.

Hu Bijie, who is on the expert team for COVID-19 medical treatment in Shanghai, reassured the public that recovered COVID-19 individuals do not spread the virus.

The municipality registered 26,087 COVID-19 local infections, including 914 confirmed cases, on Sunday. The daily number of newly reported infections in the city has surpassed 20,000 for four consecutive days.