Online health platforms relieve pressure on hospitals

Local hospitals are working to reduce out-patients and avoid overcrowding with measures to promote online health consultations.

Online fever and chronic disease consultation platforms have been established since the end of last month for people with mild symptoms. These aim to help disperse patients, reduce unnecessary visits to hospitals and also prevent in-hospital infections. 

As of 5pm on Sunday, the platforms had been visited 460,000 times and received inquiries from nearly 20,000 people in total, Shanghai Health Commission spokesperson Zheng Jin told a press conference on Monday.

A telephone hotline specifically for fever and respiratory symptoms was put into use on February 1, consisting of more than 60 physicians from 15 hospitals. It has since received 1,445 calls.