Chinese overseas get advice from home

Fujian province launched a hotline on Monday for Chinese people overseas that provides consultations related to the novel coronavirus and the pneumonia it causes — COVID-19. More than 100 medical workers in China will work around the clock to answer questions.

The Fujian Association of Overseas Chinese and the provincial health commission set up groups on WeChat, a popular social media application in China, on Sunday, to consult with Chinese people in more than 20 countries, including Italy, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Li Hongru, the first doctor on duty, said she received six phone calls in the first six hours from midnight to 6 am on Monday.

"I was awakened by a call every hour," she said. "But it's OK for me to endure the sleep interruptions if I can help people overseas."

Li remembered a call from New York from a person complaining of chest pain and difficulty sleeping. The person was worried the symptoms could point to a coronavirus infection. Li comforted the caller and asked him several questions to confirm.

"Hearing that he doesn't have to panic, since he had no fever or respiratory difficulties and hadn't been to crowded places, the man heaved a sigh of relief," Li said.

The team for Yichang, Hubei province, received a call asking about self-quarantine.

Families exhibiting respiratory symptoms such as coughing should be isolated. And caregivers should maintain a distance of 1 meter or more, the team answered.

As of Tuesday morning, the team has received 68 phone calls.

Consultants are focused on scientific prevention measures in case of respiratory symptoms and will try to spread knowledge about stopping the epidemic and offer scientific guidance in an easily understood way, an official from the Fujian Health Commission said.

Huang Siyu contributed to this story.