China steps up environment monitoring amid epidemic

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) has called for timely treatment of medical waste and close monitoring of air and water quality as the battle against the novel coronavirus continues.

The watchdog pledged full coverage of environment supervision and services on medical institutions and facilities across the country, according to a statement released after a work conference.

It also urged solid implementation of timely and effective disposal and treatment of medical waste.

Monitoring of air and surface water should be further enhanced while the monitoring results should be made public, the statement added.

Earlier information from the MEE showed that the ongoing epidemic has not contaminated China's environment as the quality of urban air, surface water and drinking water sources were all kept stable.

Between Feb. 1 and 19, Chinese environmental authorities monitored the country's more than 6,900 drinking water sources and did not find any impact from the epidemic on the quality of the sources, the ministry said.