BEIJING — The overall situation of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) prevention and control in nearly 40,000 elderly care institutions across China remains stable, a civil affairs official said on Jan 31.

As the elderly are susceptible to coronavirus infection, strengthening prevention and control is the focus of the work of elderly care institutions at present, Li Banghua, an official for senior affairs at the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA), said at a press conference held by the National Health Commission.

The MCA has asked elderly care institutions to suspend receiving unnecessary visitors to prevent possible transmission, advising family members to communicate with the elderly through text and video chat applications.

Elderly care institutions throughout the country are urged to strengthen care, protection and services for the elderly, as well as emergency response and other technical training for their staff, Li said.