Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment officially launched

Handbook of COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment, sponsored by Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation and compiled by a panel of medical experts from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAZHU) according to their clinical experience in fighting the pandemic, was officially released on March 18.  

This handbook is based on the guidelines on prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment by the National Health Commission of China. It summarizes the first-hand clinical experience in how to diagnose, screen and treat COVID-19 patients, particularly critically ill patients, and it serves as a point of reference for other countries battling the pandemic.

The Chinese and English versions are now available. Versions in other languages, including Italian, Korean, Japanese and Spanish, are being prepared. The handbook can be downloaded for free at covid-19.alibabacloud.com. In addition, any doctor can join the Global MediXchange for Combating COVID-19 (GMCC) program via DingTalk, facilitating continued communication and collaboration across borders, as well as providing the necessary computing capabilities and data intelligence to empower pivotal research efforts. 

“Statistics show the mortality rate in other countries is not lower than that in China. We need to bring our experience and methods to the world, thereby benefiting more patients and reducing the mortality rate,” said LIANG Tingbo, editor-in-chief of the handbook.

As the designated hospital for the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Zhejiang Province, FAZHU has treated 104 patients with COVID-19 so far, including 78 critically ill and severe patients, accounting for up to two thirds of confirmed cases. However, thanks to determined efforts and innovative spirits, no medical staff member has been infected, no confirmed patient has died and no suspected case has been missed.