Combating COVID-19 with 5G

© 2020. For more information, please contact Deloitte Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
Combating COVID-19 with 5G
Opportunities to improve public health systems
March 2020

Disclaimer
This publication is couched in general terms. We recommend that you obtain
professional advice before acting or refraining from action based on any of the
contents of this publication. Deloitte China accepts no liability for any loss
occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any
material herein.

Table of Contents
COVID-19 Outbreak Recap 4
Data Challenges in Epidemic Control 5
5G's Impact on Epidemic Control 7
5G Inspiring New Business Models 11

Abstract
Since the COVID-19 outbreak started, it has put tremendous pressure on public healthcare systems and epidemic
response mechanisms across the world. In China, telecommunications operators collaborated with Huawei to
rapidly set up a specific 5G network dedicated to COVID-19 treatment hospitals. In tandem with innovative
applications, 5G is driving the transformation of emergency response mechanisms to become digital, accurate
and smart.
In collaboration with Huawei, Deloitte has analysed examples of COVID-19 control and treatment in China to
ascertain the data demands of different stakeholders during major public emergencies. As well as presenting
these findings, this report discusses how key features of 5G, such as high speed connection, large arrays of
connection points, low latency and expansive data bandwidth can synergize with big data, AI, and the Cloud.
Together, these technologies can enhance the effectiveness of pandemic prevention and treatment, and drive the
digital transformation of healthcare systems in response to major public emergencies.

COVID-19 Outbreak Recap
The COVID-19 outbreak started in China at the start of 2020. Following the first confirmed case in early January, the
virus spread rapidly across the country, soon reaching a daily average of 1,500 new confirmed cases. During the height
of the outbreak, more than 3,000 new cases were confirmed each day1
. As of midnight of 16 March, China has recorded
81,116 cases nationally.
Since mid-February, the outbreak in China has been contained, yet the virus is now spreading outside the country. As
of 16 March, more than 113 countries and regions have reported confirmed cases with more than 98,780 patients
infected by the virus. Italy and Iran have the most cases outside China, with 27,980 and 14,991 confirmed cases
respectively2
.
The outbreak was initially concentrated and escalated rapidly, putting enormous pressure on local healthcare
systems
Source: National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China
Compared to SARS, another illness caused by a coronavirus, the symptoms of COVID-19 are less obvious, yet the virus
is highly contagious and infected individuals can rapidly develop serious health conditions. These characteristics have
made the outbreak difficult to control, shocking both public health and economic activity across the globe.
1 15,153 new cases were confirmed in a single day - 12 February. With all the efforts and technologies, the COVID-19 crisis is under control in
China now. Source: National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Deloitte analysis
2 Source: National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Deloitte analysis

Data Challenges in Epidemic Control
Fighting COVID 19 will be a battle for everyone in the community. In each country, the government is responsible for
the quick control of the illness, allocating sufficient resources for patients and providing effective medical care. In
addition, the government needs to engage local communities in the process, supplementing treatment as the virus
spreads among them. When necessary, suspected cases will have to be quarantined and an individual's movements
restricted. The Chinese Government was tasked with monitoring the spread of the virus, and supporting those in
need to control the outbreak and stabilize society. In China, due to its vast landscape, large, highly mobile population
and their complicated demand for resources, the effectiveness of communication and data exchange have been
essential in screening for infected individuals and controlling the outbreak.
The data requirements of different population groups
Source: Deloitte analysis
These data requirements vary in different scenarios:
 Monitoring: An HD thermal camera and real-time movement tracking system can improve screening accuracy and
efficiency. It can also reduce the amount of manual work required, but needs a robust network to transfer and
store large amounts of generated data.
 Quarantine: Once a suspected case is identified, it is critical to perform accurate testing quickly, as an individual
will need to be relocated and immediately treated if an infection is confirmed. This means data networks need to
provide fast, stable connections for devices to perform remote testing without delay.
 Treatment: Front-line medical care operations always face the challenge of limited resources and an increasing
number of patients. Remote medicine can address these constraints as it enables medical experts, to get real-time
data, perform livestreamed HD diagnosis, development treatment plans and share their experience of cases with
fellow professionals – without having to be in close proximity to patients. To do this, and maximize utilization of
available medical resources, a supporting network needs to be reliable and fast with minimum delay, and have
extensive bandwidth for data transmission.

Epidemic control scenarios
The epidemic has also highlighted the need to build and upgrade public health emergency response mechanism,
requiring the government to make quick decisions and allocate resources more effectively.

5G's Impact on Epidemic Control
5G has advantages over 4G in speed, latency, number of connection points and range making it more adaptable.
These features can address data transmission challenges during an epidemic, as well as open up possibilities for fresh
ideas and new treatment methods.
4G and 5G network comparison
Accurate monitoring in public areas
The key steps in outbreak monitoring include identifying virus carriers who are interacting with the public,
quarantining suspected patients, providing immediate medical care and ascertaining people's travel history to
identify potential infections, adopting the digital technology like the public health management tool, which people
can generate a "Health QR Code" on their mobile phones. Collecting data on public health (e.g. body temperatures)
and movement (e.g. travel histories and close personal connections) is also important for virus control. However, 4G
networks do not have the capacity to fully support large volumes of HD images, such as the transmission and storage
of files, and dynamic personal movement tracking inputs including thermal imaging, travel history and close
connections. 5G can better address these requirements.
 5G+ thermal imaging supports contagion monitoring
A 5G+ thermal imaging temperature monitoring system consists of an Infrared Radiation (IR) camera, body
temperature measuring unit and 5G network module. It can accurately monitor a moving object's temperatures
in real-time without contact and, issue abnormal temperature alerts. Through 5G networks, the data collected by
terminals can be sent to central monitoring units and shared to the Cloud in real time with no lag. This enables
24-7 online public temperature monitoring, imaging and travel and contact history tracking when needed.

5G thermal temperature monitoring system
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, 5G+ thermal imaging temperature monitoring systems have been widely
deployed across China, especially in crowded places like airports, train stations and other transport hubs. They
have significantly increased the efficiency of monitoring body temperature across a moving crowd to reduce the
risk of virus exposure. As a wave of people returned to work, large volumes of travel were expected, and 5G+
thermal imaging could be promoted to drive the digitalization of virus outbreak control.
Communication support during patient transfer
HD remote diagnosis and other medical monitoring systems are required when infected people are being transferred
to hospital. 5G networks can provide the bandwidth, speed, and mobility needed to stably transmit large data sets in
real time.
 5G enables continuous remote monitoring and diagnosis during patient transfer
Once an individual is identified as a suspected or confirmed infection, treatment becomes a race against time. In
China, the peak of the outbreak was concentrated into a short period and, medical emergency systems were
tested by a large volume of cases. According to media reports, the average number of ambulance dispatches in
Wuhan was about 400 a day in January 2019, but jumped to 600 during the coronavirus outbreak, with some days
recording more than 800 dispatches. Some SMART ambulances carry emergency care communication and
diagnostics kits, serving a unique role in the healthcare system. Apart from transporting patients safely, they
provide emergency treatment remotely, as well as collecting and transmitting information to hospitals so they
can develop treatment and quarantine plans. To achieve this, the network needs to provide fast, stable data
transmission that can support these rapidly moving objects such.
Benefiting from 5G networks' fast data load speeds of over 100Mbps, SMART ambulances with 4K HD monitoring
systems can send videos and transmit medical data to command centres in real time, allowing support staff to
communicate with ambulance crews. If necessary, a command centre can initiate diagnosis conferences with
experts and ambulance crews for emergency response, ensuring a patient's smooth transition from the
ambulance to hospital. This combination of 5G network and 4K SMART ambulances transforms the medical
emergency response model: it digitalizes its operation, from mobilizing treatment to data collection and real time
communication, improving treatment efficiency and effectiveness.

5G + 4K SMART ambulance network
Synergetic collaboration during treatment
Big data is at the core of SMART medical care, covering stages such as consultation, diagnosis and treatment. While
treating patients, hospitals need to stay closely connected with one another and maintain effective communication.
Case studies and medical data should also be consolidated and shared promptly, providing valuable reference for
other hospitals and scientific research institutions. 4G can meet basic data transmission needs, but with rapid
increases in data volume and mounting demand for remote, HD-video based treatment, there is a substantial need
for upgraded networks with faster connections and more bandwidth.
 5G remote platforms to improve consultation effectiveness and efficiency
Traditionally, consultation teleconferencing is hosted via wired networks. This requires large infrastructure
investment and high maintenance costs, yet has low mobility, limiting its use to a single space and preventing
movement to different locations such as patients' rooms and ambulances. In addition, remote medical
consultation requires real time video conferencing and image transmission. 5G is an ideal technology to meet
teleconferencing requirements, it can support 4k/8K ultra HD conferencing and data transmission, which requires
network speeds of at least 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps. This enables medical experts to treat patients without
constraints on their physical location, and can substantially improve the accuracy and efficiency of consultations.

5G remote medical consultation platform
Source: Huawei, Deloitte analysis
Throughout the coronavirus outbreak began, 5G remote consultation has had clinical trials in multiple locations.
At Wuhan Union Hospital, a 5G remote consultation platform is hosting daily appointments with patients in
different campuses, enabling them to connect with experts at leading medical institutions such as Beijing Union,
Beijing Chao-Yang and Wuhan Oncology hospitals. In Wuhan's Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital, a
temporary facility built exclusively to battle the coronavirus, medical staff can seek support from experts in
Beijing via a 5G consultation platform, providing access to all available resources. This has improved the
efficiency and effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment, reduced the workloads of overstretched medical staff,
and reduced the risk of experts being exposed to the virus.
 5G remote imaging diagnosis platforms enhance collaboration
With advances in technology, medical imaging has become an important method of diagnosis. Picture Archiving
and Communication Systems (PACS) are at the core of the 5G SMART healthcare ecosystem. When combined
with 5G networks, advanced big data analytics and AI, they can automate analysis models and machine learning,
greatly reducing the time required and manual work involved. In the battle against COVID-19 in China, remote
imaging proved effective in a pilot program at Wuhan Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) Hospital, another
temporary facility built exclusively for virus patients. Doctors from Chinese PLA General Hospital have performed
B-scans of quarantined patients in Wuhan via 5G platforms, achieving real time feedback and diagnosis and
reducing the burden of front-line workers.
 5G SMART medical robots to help care for quarantined patient
In additional to technical support during treatment, 5G also provides innovative patient support and care
solutions for front-line medical staff. Medical robots developed for the 5G environment could undertake routine
tasks like floor checkups, cleaning and sanitation and medicine delivery, to improve efficiency and safety in
quarantine areas. More importantly, they can free up valuable human resources from repetitive work so they can
be deployed to value-added tasks including complex care for critical cases.

5G Inspiring New Business Models
During the most critical period of the COVID-19 outbreak, all of major cities in China were mobilized to follow the
mobile hospital - "Xiaotangshan" model, rapidly building multiple emergency facilities such as Huoshenshan and
Leishenshan hospitals in Wuhan. Huawei and other telecommunications suppliers collaborated with the Big Three
telecommunications operators in China to quickly set up a 5G network to cover the new hospitals. It took only three
days to build, test, and run 5G networks for Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan and Xiaotangshan Hospital in Beijing. In
Heilongjiang Province, the 4G and 5G networks for an emergency response centre were built within 32 hours. All
these outstanding achievements were made possible by the dedication of the community, and showcased the easy
setup and fast operation features of 5G networks. For example, a 5G Active Antenna Unit (AAU) can significantly
improve network performance and reduce the number of cable connections required, while innovative "mini post
stations" can be set up by street lampposts with minimum effort. These designs enable rapid network set up and
quick 5G connection, and could inspire "5G speed" deployment across the country.
As a result of 5G features such as high speed connection, high reliability and low latency, the healthcare system has
benefited from improved response times, patient monitoring, data collection and analytics, remote collaboration and
resource allocation. It also sets an example for digitalized, data driven and Cloud-based innovative major public
emergency response platforms. The success of 5G applications in the public health domain could also inspire
businesses in other sectors to leverage 5G's popularity and explore new applications of the technology.
Innovative public emergency response platform design
1. Epidemic monitoring platform
5G technology's high-speed data transmission and advanced data analytics can consolidate large amounts of
fragmented information (such as thermal image, facial recognition, identity, cargo tracking and crowd movement
tracking data) from multiple sources, and enables AI and big data to identify potentially infected individuals
interacting with the public. It can improve monitoring accuracy and efficiency, and reduce heavy manual work
involved in the process. With 5G, innovative tools and solutions for epidemic control are available to improve
efficiency.

a. 5G epidemic prevention patrol drone
5G drones can patrol and monitor designated areas, it can send images back to a control centre, making public
announcements and warning individuals against necessary prevention behaviour such as not wearing a face mask.
b. 5G smart robots
In public areas such as airports, train and subway stations, hospitals, shopping malls and office buildings, 5G smart
robots can monitor crowd movements in real time, identifying individuals with higher than normal body
temperatures and those not wearing masks, sanitizing areas where there are infections and broadcasting important
announcements
5G applications used in epidemic control could also drive the development of a more efficient smart city
management model. 5G's data transmission capability can be used in various areas of urban planning
management, including traffic planning, smart public safety and smart environmental protection, as well as
inspire municipal governments to explore new models of city management. With support from 5G and big data,
local governments can break through barriers to information and communication, improve the efficiency of
decision making and enhance collaboration in resource allocation to address the demands of citizens and
enterprises. We expect supporting industries including network infrastructure manufacturing and development,
smart data collection devices, HD image recording systems, municipal service platform development, multiple
source data analytics and remote control and testing systems to have potential for further development.
Smart City connected platform model

2. Natural disaster command centers
Resource allocation platforms for natural disaster response can be equipped with 5G and Internet of Things (IoT)
networks, enabling deep analysis of supply chains and providing real time information on front-line supply
consumption, resource inventory levels, production capability, supply capability and logistics support decisions to
balance supply and demand. In addition, smart resource distribution, such as autonomous driving logistics carts
equipped with 5G and AI, can deliver cargo to clients in infected areas using preset routes, cutting physical
interaction and reducing the risk of contagion.
Such resource allocation platforms could also direct the transformation of supply chains. The combination of 5G
and IoT can accelerate the upgrade to SMART supply chains. Manufacturers could use 5G, IoT and advanced
robots to achieve fully automated production, AI-based production adjustments, automated default detection
and trouble shooting. In addition, being able to take a deep dive into big data could improve the efficiency and
cost effectiveness of production. As 5G is a wireless technology, it reduces the complexity and cost of upgraded
production lines. On the supply chain side, 5G can have a substantial impact on resource allocation in cargo
shipments, express package delivery and consolidated services platforms. Innovations like SMART delivery route
planning, real-time cargo tracking, big data-based supply chain network design, remote inventory management,
and fully automated inventory management could be the next wave of development opportunities.
3. Remote medical consultation
5G networks can extend medical consultation into the community and even to individual households, enabling
interaction between patients and doctors. For people under quarantine, mobility and seeking medical support are
always challenging. 5G networks could integrate community and households with the hospital system so patients
can consult medical staff and receive preliminary treatment through teleconferencing and image sharing. In
addition, 5G's low latency makes remote surgical operations possible, reducing the risk of healthcare workers being
infected onsite and maximizing resource utilization. 5G Multi-Edge Computing (MEC) can provide powerful
processing via Cloud-based medical services. Remote medical care has multiple use cases, including consultation,
B-scans, operations and monitoring. In the near future, SMART medical care solutions could be widely adopted
through the implantation of 5G networks.
Remote medical care platform model

If you are interested in exploring more about technological transformation in healthcare and other sectors, or
business model and operational transformation through 5G, please contact:
Huawei 5G team Deloitte Consulting and Financial Advisory
Huimin Zhu
CMO
Huawei Wireless Products
Email：zhuhuimin@huawei.com
Carrie Xiao
Partner
Consulting, Strategy and Operations
Email：carriexiao@deloitte.com.cn
Shuo Wang
Marketing Director
Huawei Wireless 5G Products
Email：saber.wangshuo@huawei.com
Edison Wang
Director
Email：ediwang@deloitte.com.cn
Von Feng
Senior Manager
Email：vofeng@deloitte.com.cn
Qinglu Pu
Secretary General, Deloitte's 5G Research Institute
Partner, Financial Advisory
Email：qlpu@deloitte.com.cn
If you have any questions or inquires about Deloitte Consulting practice, please contact Deloitte Consulting at
cndcmarketing@deloitte.com.cn

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