LAUSR

Editor On May 12, 2020, the local government of Wuhan, China launched a citywide nucleic acid census, intending to test more than 9 million local residents within 10 days1,2. Currently, the preliminary results have been released and it is reported that no confirmed cases and 300 asymptomatic infective cases were screened out among the 9 899 828 local residents in Wuhan3,4. As residents of Wuhan, we can now declare with great pride the success of the city in the post-pandemic era. First, although the economy has gradually begun to recover since April 8, 20205,6, the concerns about missed cases as well asymptomatic carriers in Wuhan have prevented social order from returning to pre-pandemic normality. Without the results of the nucleic acid census, relief was unsubstantiated. Hence, the local government launched an ambitious project: a citywide nucleic acid test. This citywide project is an embodiment of extreme responsibility for the citizens’ health and life. Indeed, the results of the citywide nucleic acid test were helpful to alleviate widespread anxiety and improve the quality of peoples’ life. In addition, although the cost of citywide nucleic acid testing was rather steep, this project allows for an open and transparent presentation of the achievements and experiences of the Chinese and Wuhan government in fighting the pandemic. Overall, timely medical resource input and home isolation are perhaps the best approach in controlling the spread of this virus. In the past two months, the outbreak in Wuhan has effectively been brought under control, and this experience is worth sharing with worldwide epicenters of COVID-19. The overall results of the nucleic acid census have indicated that COVID-19 in Wuhan is largely now under control. Despite this, attention should still be paid to the prevention of a second wave COVID-19, especially as travel bans are lifted and international travel is resumed resulting in an influx of international positive cases. In addition, children under the age of six were not included in the census. An unusually high incidence of Kawasaki-like disease is currently being reported in children, in the majority of which cases (82 per cent), IgG antibodies for SARSCoV-2 were detected, suggesting an association between the virus and this syndrome7-9. Therefore, parents should ensure adequate protection of the health of their children during the outbreak and possible second wave of COVID19. Currently, the growth trajectory of COVID-19 in many countries is on the downturn, signaling that they will be entering the next stage of this pandemic: the post-outbreak period. We recommend that comprehensive nucleic acid testing be carried out in other areas, just as was done in Wuhan, during the post-outbreak period. We declare no competing interests.