BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A group of medical experts sent by the Chinese government to help Italy fight the novel coronavirus is warmly welcomed and is highly appreciated by the Italian side, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday.
Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press conference when answering a question on reports that Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, held a press conference in Rome on Friday welcoming Chinese medical experts to assist Italy in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.
Geng said the Chinese team, consisting of nine medical experts, left Shanghai for Rome on March 12, carrying medical supplies and equipment and started their work right after their arrival.
He said the group has shared experiences with the Italian Ministry of Health, Italian Red Cross, National Institute of Infectious Disease in Rome and other institutions on patient treatment, drug use and the control of infection inside hospitals in accordance with the epidemic situation in Italy.
Chinese experts also exchanged ideas on improving the protective awareness of the public and medical staff and clarifying the protection level of the medical institutions, said Geng. "They are warmly welcomed and highly commended by the Italian side."
Next, they will go to the worst affected areas in northern Italy, according to Geng.
The experts also conveyed the care of the Chinese government for Chinese citizens in Italy, and they conducted video guidance for overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying in Italy, briefing them on the symptoms of the COVID-19, and prevention and treatment of the disease, Geng said.
They also visited Chinese patients of the disease who were treated in Italy and have recovered, said Geng.
