Shen Zhixiang, a 64-year-old rural doctor in Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province, has recently been contributing to the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia. Thanks to his timely action, a local patient surnamed Xu did not infect more people.

Shen, a Party member and an ex-serviceman, has been recently re-employed after retirement and has worked as a rural doctor for 41 years.

He asked Xu and his close contacts to stay at home for quarantine once he learned that Xu had just returned from Wuhan, Hubei province, where the virus outbreak first emerged. He also urged them to take their temperatures and give feedback every day.

When Xu developed a fever, Shen suspected that he could be infected and immediately sent him to a hospital that admits novel coronavirus pneumonia patients. Shen also stopped Xu's daughter from going to hospital with him as a security precaution.

After returning from hospital, Shen isolated himself from others, but insisted on serving locals behind a window. When a villager refused to take his own temperature, Shen immediately reported this to the village leaders who finally persuaded the villager to cooperate.

"I really appreciate Doctor Shen, who promptly separated me from others when finding me infected and sent me to the hospital," said Xu, who has recovered and been released from hospital.

Shen Zhixiang, a 64-year-old rural doctor in Rudong county, takes the temperature of a local resident. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]