- There are 11,821 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in mainland China as of 12:00 February 1, with 259 deaths and 245 recovered cases.

- Currently, in Chongqing 238 cases of the novel coronavirus are confirmed as of 24:00 January 31. Twenty patients are in serious condition, and six are in critical condition. One patient died, and one was recovered.

- There are 27 newly confirmed cases reported on January 31. Two patients are in critical condition, and the first confirmed case has reached Shapingba District.

Chongqing- The office of the Leading Group for Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection in Chongqing issued an urgent notice stating that the situation in the nine districts of the downtown Chongqing is severe. It is necessary to continue to strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in downtown to stop the spread of the epidemic.

1. Combating illegal activities during the prevention and control of the epidemic according to law

Since the initiation of the Level I response to public health emergencies in Chongqing, local government functional departments at all levels and the broad masses of the city have jointly launched prevention and control measures. In order to protect the lives and health of the people, public security, market supervision, and health and other departments will severely crack down on quarantine monitoring and compulsory quarantine measures, manufacture, and sale of counterfeit drugs and protective supplies, rumors, and price hikes, etc.; with an emphasis on combating illegal and criminal acts to maintain social order.

2. Continue to strengthen the prevention and control of the epidemic in downtown

To further enhance the investigation and prevention of the epidemic, a joint body has formed. This includes the unified arrangement of the Chongqing Municipality's Leading Group for Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection and the Political and Legal Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. The group will take the lead in cooperating with relevant departments and districts and counties, and continue to pay close attention to the implementation of vehicles and personnel in critical areas, based on Chongqing's management and control measures. The inspection and control of the bordering villages of the city and critical areas will be further strengthened, and the relevant districts and counties will mobilize the neighboring villages and communities to carry out patrol prevention and control to resolutely curb the source of disease. This includes strict monitoring in the nine districts of downtown Chongqing, and strengthen the detailed monitoring measures for public transportation and public places. The grid-based investigations of communities in the main urban areas will be enhanced, and the cooperation with community organizations and community property companies is essential for effective for disease prevention and control.

community workers are checking the waste masks can on street

3. Schools at all levels must learn the health status of teachers and students

On January 31, the Municipal Education Commission held a pneumonia epidemic prevention and control work scheduling meeting for the city's education system. This requires schools of all levels and types to learn the health status of teachers and students and to establish work and health files. To effectively strengthen the prevention and control of epidemics in schools of all types and at all levels.

4. Districts and counties with a large number of suspected cases need to increase quarantine spots

Firstly, to further strengthen the investigation of suspected cases, suspected cases must be isolated, inspected, observed, and treated the following health regulations. A large number of districts and counties need to increase quarantine spots.

Secondly, the joint body will improve the public's ability to protect themselves. Strengthening benign interaction in public, responding to social concerns promptly, and forming a social consensus are high priorities. Systematic, all-media, high-frequency, and golden files are being gathered to promote epidemic prevention and control knowledge. Experts are organized every day to interpret the situation of epidemic prevention and control and publicize health protection knowledge.