Mobile sample collection stations put into use in Beijing to assist COVID-19 testing

Five mobile nucleic acid sampling stations have been put into use in Beijing's Daxing District to improve access to COVID-19 testing, Beijing Evening News reported Thursday.

Measuring 2.3 meters long, 1.3 meters wide and 2.2 meters high, the stations have two sampling windows and are capable of collecting 100 throat swab samples per hour, said the report.

A disinfected environment can be created within each station by switching on its air-conditioning system and sterilizing lamp for a period of ten minutes.

Medical staff can conduct non-contact sample collection by placing their hands in protective rubber gloves at the sampling tables.

The sampling stations are also equipped with intercom systems to facilitate communication between the medical staff and the public.

From June 11 to July 1, Beijing reported 329 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, 325 of which remained hospitalized. There are 28 asymptomatic cases under medical observation, according to the municipal health commission.