Yangquan Waste Treatment Plant in Yangquan city in northern Shanxi province has set a sterling example by quickly and efficiently clearing and transporting medical waste -- while strengthening employee self-protection -- to help prevent and control the pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus, local officials said. 

They said disposing of medical waste was an important part of the battle against the epidemic. 

The waste treatment plant has adjusted its clearing times and frequency of transportation of the medical waste generated by several large hospitals in the city to once every 24 hours, compared with the previous once every 48 hours. 

The medical waste from the local designated virus treatment hospitals is transferred by special personnel and is disposed of on arrival at the waste treatment plant. 

According to the plant director, from Jan 20 to Feb 3, the plant collected 29.43 metric tons of medical waste, including 2.77 tons from the Third People's Hospital of Yangquan and the harmless disposal rate was 100 percent. 

In addition, a total of 4,828.78 tons of domestic waste was treated, also with a harmless disposal rate of 100 percent.