Staff members eligible to collect nucleic acid sample swabs must hold medical professional certifications and go through specific training before going on duty, officials said.

They will go through training based on a guidebook which lists specific requirements and standards to collect samples, Guo Yanhong, an official from the National Health Commission's bureau of medical administration, said at a news conference on Thursday.

Beijing began to recruit staff members including retired medical professionals, school doctors and licensed pharmacists, to take nucleic acid samples last month.

Training is provided to applicants with a test before going on duty, said Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

As of Thursday, 786 applicants have begun work, 3,028 completed training and more than 17,000 have finished qualification review.