China has actively promoted the development of online medical services to assist COVID-19 patients, a senior health official said on Wednesday.

The joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council has asked medical institutions to offer such services to patients with COVID-19-related symptoms, said Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission.

Medical institutions are encouraged to write prescriptions online according to treatment plans and facilitate the delivery of the drugs to patients, Jiao said at a news conference.

They are also urged to offer 24-hour online guidance on drug use and help non-critical patients book appointments online at staggered time slots to reduce the number of patients at hospitals, she said.

Furthermore, the facilities are required to adapt their online platforms to better meet the needs of seniors, simplify online appointment procedures and add customer services agents, she said.

Family members can use the online platforms on behalf of seniors, and many regions have launched measures to bridge the digital divide and make it more convenient for the elderly to take advantage of the medical services offered on the platforms, she added.

Seniors are also encouraged to go to community health centers near their homes for medical treatment, Jiao said.