Beijing Exposed to COVID-19 Risk... Press Conference Also Canceled

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As 79 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred over four days at the Beijing Agricultural and Aquatic Products Wholesale Market, the Beijing city government is tightening quarantine measures to the extent that a scheduled press conference was canceled.

On the 15th, the National Bureau of Statistics of China canceled the press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. (local time) that day to announce the May economic indicators, considering the COVID-19 outbreak situation in Beijing. Instead of an offline press conference, the National Bureau of Statistics announced that it would explain detailed information about China's May economic indicators in a Q&A format on its website at 2 p.m. that day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China is also closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak situation ahead of its daily afternoon regular briefing. The Ministry notified that if any journalists attending the briefing had visited the Xinfadi Market or had contact with market personnel since May 30, they should report it.

Since the 11th, confirmed cases related to a cluster infection at the Xinfadi Market, an agricultural and aquatic products wholesale market in Beijing, have surged. The number of confirmed cases discovered so far has approached 80.

According to the National Health Commission of China, as of midnight that day, 49 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide, of which 36 were from Beijing. In Beijing, in addition to the 36 new confirmed cases in one day, 6 asymptomatic infections, classified separately, were newly added. The number of new confirmed cases has been rapidly increasing since the first case appeared on the 11th with 1 case, followed by 6 on the 12th, 36 on the 13th, and 36 on the 14th. Currently, 79 COVID-19 confirmed patients in Beijing are receiving treatment in hospitals. The number of asymptomatic infections under medical observation, including the newly added 6, totals 7.

Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council of China, clarified at the State Council's joint COVID-19 prevention and control meeting the previous day that the COVID-19 spread in Beijing is related to the Xinfadi Market. She stated, "This cluster infection is deeply related to the Xinfadi wholesale market where the outbreak occurred. The market is densely populated with a large floating population, increasing the risk of infection spread," and emphasized, "We will take bold measures to prevent the spread of the cluster infection in Beijing. We will strengthen quarantine measures for the market and surrounding areas."

Beijing city upgraded the area near Xinfadi Market to a high-risk zone and locked down 11 residential complexes near the market. Additionally, lockdown management was added for 10 residential complexes around the Wiquan Market in Haidian District, where confirmed cases related to Xinfadi Market were reported. Residents of the locked-down residential complexes must self-isolate and undergo nucleic acid testing.

Beijing authorities announced that the COVID-19 virus was detected on cutting boards used to cut imported salmon inside the Xinfadi Market, and the virus gene sequence is tentatively identified as originating from Europe. However, the exact origin and transmission route of the virus have not yet been clarified. The city authorities are investigating the possibility that the virus spread through contaminated seafood or meat, or through secretions from people entering and exiting the market.

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