New measures and concepts in the control and prevention of COVID-19:What we need to know

Abstract

The emergence and outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses great challenges to our society, economy, and public health, and has already become an international public health emergency. The prevention and control of COVID-19 requires early detection and the timely and effective control of virus dissemination. Front-line medical personnel in the outpatient and emergency departments of hospitals, quarantine centers, and entry and exit ports are key to the early detection and control of COVID-19. Based on experiences in the prevention and control of other new and recurrent infectious diseases, epidemiologists previously proposed the concept of “vital sign zero” and the “Identify-Isolate-Inform” (3I) system for the detection and control of infectious diseases. The use of “vital sign zero” and the “3I system” for COVID-19 will facilitate the prevention and control of new infections, provide more timely treatment and effective isolation of patients, and protect the safety and health of medical workers. These concepts will also prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help to ensure public health and safety.