China Reports About Half of New COVID-19 Cases as 'Reverse Imported' (Summary)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As the number of new COVID-19 cases in China is rapidly decreasing, the government is intensifying efforts to block overseas imported cases.

On the 12th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that 15 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were added as of midnight. The number of new cases per day has been declining: 44 on the 7th, 40 on the 8th, 19 on the 9th, 24 on the 10th, and 15 on the 11th.

The number of new confirmed cases from Wuhan, Hubei Province, known as the origin of COVID-19, was limited to 8?the lowest since statistics began. Among the 7 new cases outside Hubei Province, only 1 was a domestic case excluding imported cases. On the 11th, China reported a total of 6 overseas imported cases from Guangdong Province (3), Gansu Province (2), and Henan Province (1).

The number of new deaths was 11. Ten deaths occurred in Hubei Province, and one death was reported in Shanxi Province.

So far, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China is 80,793. Among them, 62,793 patients have recovered and been discharged, and 3,169 have died. Currently, 14,831 confirmed patients are receiving treatment in hospitals. The number of suspected cases is 253, and 13,701 close contacts are under medical observation. Outside mainland China, in the Greater China region, a total of 187 confirmed cases have been reported: Hong Kong 129 (67 discharged, 3 deaths), Macau 10 (all discharged), and Taiwan 48 (17 discharged, 1 death).

As the spread of COVID-19 within China shows signs of stabilization, the government’s efforts to block overseas imported cases are becoming stronger.

To date, the total number of reported overseas imported cases in China is 85. With nearly half of the new confirmed cases being imported, concerns about imported COVID-19 cases have increased, prompting Beijing, the capital of China, to implement enhanced measures requiring all arrivals from abroad to undergo 14 days of self-quarantine.

At a briefing held yesterday afternoon, Beijing city authorities announced that the 14-day home quarantine or centralized observation measures, previously applied only to arrivals from countries severely affected by COVID-19 such as South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran, will now be extended to all incoming travelers. Passengers transiting through Beijing Airport will also undergo separate health screenings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.