China has issued a plan on improving COVID-19 prevention and control in rural areas, according to a circular released on Dec 31.

The plan was issued by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19 and the Central Rural Work Leading Group.

To enhance community-level epidemic prevention and control system, rural primary-level organizations will be given a full play, healthcare and medical services in rural areas improved, more support will be offered to rural healthcare and medical institutions, the reserve and supply of necessities guaranteed, and publicity and education about epidemic control will be conducted, according to the circular.

Guarantee on medical supply in rural areas is stressed in the circular, as it urged producing pharmaceuticals, preparing medical supplies, stabilizing the drug market and clearing channels for drug purchasing.

To improve treatment of cases with severe conditions, it requires further construction of medical resources for severe cases and infectious disease in county-level hospitals, classification of cases on a scientific base and well coordination in patient referral, the circular stated.

For key groups in rural areas, information bases will be established for them, and measures will be taken to quickly enhance their vaccination rate and provide better health services and green channels for them.

It also called for efforts to ensure agricultural production in winter and spring to guarantee vegetable supply, animal production and production means supply.