BEIJING — Beijing authorities said on Feb 14 they had introduced measures to help children and elderly without care amid China's efforts to pinpoint and quarantine all novel coronavirus carriers and suspected cases.

The targets include children whose parents are isolated for medical observation or treatment during the coronavirus outbreak, said Li Hongbing, deputy director of the Beijing municipal civil affairs bureau, at a press conference on Feb 14.

Authorities have asked various districts to assign temporary guardians for these children. If there are no individuals to undertake temporary guardianship, the government shall provide nursing sites and assign special personnel to look after them.

After the quarantine period is over, children can be transferred to child welfare institutions for temporary care.

Meanwhile, authorities also mobilized neighborhood and village committees, property management companies and elderly care institutions to offer help for the senior residents who live alone and cannot take care of themselves if their children are isolated for treatment.

Li said children and elderly in need can call the hotline 12345.

By the end of Feb 13, Beijing had a total of 372 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection, according to the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.