CAIRO, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Embassy in Egypt and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) jointly held an online lecture on COVID-19 on Tuesday here in Cairo.

Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, doctors from the PUMCH and Chinese nationals in Egypt took part in the lecture.

The lecture touched upon the features, symptoms of COVID-19, proposed measures to prevent the spread of the virus and to keep mental health, as well as answered the most-asked questions.

Liu Zhengyin, senior doctor and doctoral supervisor from the Infection Department at the PUMCH, advised Chinese nationals in Egypt to avoid crowded places like supermarkets and cinemas.

He also suggested Chinese nationals in Egypt to keep a distance at least 1.5 meters with others, wear masks during conversation and wash hands with disinfection gel or 70 percent alcohol after going out.

"Special attention should be paid to people over 55 years old, especially those with hypertension and diabetes, as they are more vulnerable to the virus," said Liu.

When suspected of catching the virus, people should first quarantine themselves and avoid direct contact with others. If there are only minor symptoms, there is no need to go to hospital, he said.

"But if you feel it is difficult to breathe, do not hesitate to go to hospital," he added.

People should keep their normal life and do more exercise to keep mental health during the period of the COVID-19 outbreak, said Wei Jing, head of the mental health department of PUMCH.

She advised that people should stick to official news portals to get the latest developments of the virus and avoid rumors on social media.

"There is no need to get over worried about the virus and if you do, find entertainments to divert your attention," said Wei.