By March 26, a total of 6,893 residential communities in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, had been designated "epidemic-free communities," accounting for 97.1 percent of the total in the city, the Economic Daily reported.

Volunteers take a group photo at Shihua community in Wuhan on March 23, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

For a community to qualify as being "epidemic-free", no pneumonia cases must be reported in 14 days, and all suspected cases, residents with high fever or anyone who may have had close contact with pneumonia patients in the communities has to be cleared.

These communities in Wuhan have taken comprehensive measures to restrain the novel coronavirus, including publicizing epidemic control knowledge. Changhongli community, for example, put up notices on medical procedures in the neighborhood to ease residents’ anxieties amid the pneumonia outbreak and helped send patients in serious condition to certain outpatient clinics.

While strictly managing entrances and exits to the residential areas, investigating residents’ physical conditions and disinfecting buildings, these communities also strived to ensure the supply of basic necessities.

Shihua community ordered supplies for its residents in bulk based on their needs and then distributed the goods to them in an orderly manner.

For families that are financially distressed, the community would provide relief supplies as well as free vegetables and meat subsidized by the government. Community workers would also help buy and deliver medicine to residents suffering from chronic diseases.

In addition to community workers, residents have also contributed to the epidemic prevention and control work, staying at home voluntarily unless they had to go outside, and sterilizing their houses to ensure safety.