China Reports 7 New COVID-19 Cases... Cluster Infections Increasing in Jilin Province

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] China reported 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in one day. Most of the new confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections emerged from areas with cluster infections, raising concerns about a resurgence of the virus.

On the 13th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were added. Among the 7 cases, only 1 was an imported case entering Shanghai from overseas, while the remaining 6 were locally transmitted cases in Jilin Province, where recent cluster infections occurred. Additionally, 1 suspected case was added in Jilin Province.

The Chinese government does not include asymptomatic infections in the official confirmed case statistics, but 8 asymptomatic infections were reported on the same day. Similarly, only 1 was an imported case from overseas, and the other 7 were all locally transmitted within China. Among these 7, 1 was from Jilin Province and the remaining 6 were from Hubei Province.

Currently, a total of 750 asymptomatic infections are under medical observation within China. Asymptomatic infections refer to individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do not exhibit specific symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat.

In Hubei Province, known as the origin of COVID-19, no new confirmed cases were added on this day, but asymptomatic infections that could potentially convert to confirmed cases at any time continue to emerge, keeping government authorities on high alert.

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei Province has locked down Sanmin District on Changqing Street in Dongxihu District, Wuhan City, where 6 confirmed cases were reported over two days starting from the 9th, for 14 days beginning on the 11th. They also decided to conduct nucleic acid testing for all residents. Furthermore, the Wuhan COVID-19 Prevention and Control Headquarters issued an emergency notice on the 11th, instructing the entire city to prepare detailed plans to have all residents undergo nucleic acid testing within 10 days. It is expected that all approximately 14 million residents of Wuhan will be tested for COVID-19.

An epidemiology expert who requested anonymity told the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), "Large-scale testing is necessary to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19," adding, "It shows that there is a risk of virus resurgence in the community caused by asymptomatic infections or patients with mild symptoms. Extensive testing helps identify hidden patients and eliminate risks."

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