On March 12th, the Chinese team led by top Chinese respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan hosts a videoconference with medical experts from Harvard University on the cooperation of treating novel coronavirus.
The participants of the videoconference from Harvard Medical School (HMS) included George Q. Daley, dean of HMS; David E. Golan, dean for Research Operations and Global Programs of HMS; Arlene Sharpe, chair of the Department of Immunology at HMS. Bruce Walker, founding director of the Ragon Institute of MGH also joined the meeting.
The team headed by Zhong Nanshan briefed those in attendance on the clinical features and challenges of severe and critical cases. They also shared their knowledge of rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 and the prevention and control of community cluster cases. The two research partners discussed the possibilities of clinical research collaboration on the novel coronavirus pneumonia. As a scientific research team has been set up jointly headed by Zhong and George Q. Daley, both parties look to initiate further cooperation in critical care, which would surely bring positive impact on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Since early March, the team led by Zhong Nanshan has held several videoconferences with experts in Italy, Japan and Singapore to update each other on the latest developments regarding the epidemic. A global public health emergency requires a global response, and experts in the world need to continue to share their successful experience in anti-virus therapies, life support, and streamlining treatment procedures. All around collaboration needs to be carried out. On March 3 and4, Zhong Nanshan also shared China's experience of fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Anita Simonds, Vice President and President Elect of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). These experiences included issues related to screening and diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, epidemic forecast, as well as other important information regarding controlling the epidemic.