The central steering group quickly studied and conveyed the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the conference on deployment of coordinating and advancing epidemic prevention and control & economic and social development, and went to hospitals to study the COVID-19 treatment and medical materials supply with frontline medical experts.

On the evening of Feb 23, the central steering group studied the important speech given by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the conference on deployment of coordinating and advancing epidemic prevention and control & economic and social development. Sun Chunlan, member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, said that the important speech systematically summarized the prevention and control work, made scientific judgments, and clarified the key tasks, thus providing fundamental guidance and helping us strengthen the confidence of winning the battle against the epidemic based on the overall economic and social development. The central steering group should fully implement the spirit of the conference and the important speech by General Secretary Xi Jinping, carry forward the spirit of relentless efforts, and resolutely win the battle of defending Wuhan and Hubei, and live up to the trust of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

At present, the task of treating patients is very prominent. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to it, emphasizing the need to continue the efforts of strengthening treatment. Premier Li Keqiang made a clear requirement at the meeting of the Leading Group of CPC Central Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control this morning. In the afternoon, the central steering group came to the Remote Consultation Center in the main section of Tongji Hospital to discuss the epidemic with experts of the medical teams from Beijing, Shanghai and the Army. The group listened to their opinions and suggestions on diagnosis and treatment methods, effective drugs screening, and how to guarantee the medical equipment in short supply. Sun Chunlan pointed out that, with "Four Early" principles, both severe and mild cases should be equally treated, carefully coordinated deployment of medical forces should be made, and diagnosis and treatment program for severe and critical cases and the standard management of mild and moderate cases should be continuously optimized. "One person, one method" is required for critical patients，and they are prioritized to the advanced devices, effective diagnostic techniques and drugs. For mild cases, early TCM intervention should be made to keep them from turning into severe cases, and to get early discharges as soon as possible. Medical supplies must be directly provided to the hospital. It is imperative to implement the new version of the diagnosis and treatment program, adhere to the integrated TCM and western medicine treatment, the combination of basic medicine and clinical practice, the frontline treatment and multidisciplinary support, medical treatment and nursing, medical treatment and management, so to greatly improve recovery rate and reduce mortality.