Some patients undergoing elective surgery who could not wait for too long because of the disease condition, should be observed in a transitional ward for 2 weeks. Two weeks before surgery, patients should have a chest CT for COVID-19 screening, and routine blood assay, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, influenza A and B examination within 1 week. If infection is suspected, a further upper nasopharyngeal swab test for COVID-19 should be performed. In fact, all patients should undergo a swab test before surgery.