106 Confirmed Cases in an Instant... Beijing in Wartime Mode "Difficult to Trace Infection Routes" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] In Beijing, the capital of China, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has exceeded 100 in five days. Since a cluster infection occurred at the largest agricultural and aquatic products wholesale market, it is difficult to trace the transmission routes, and all communities in Beijing are responding in a wartime state.

According to the National Health Commission of China on the 16th, amid the cluster infection at Beijing's largest agricultural and aquatic products wholesale market, the number of confirmed cases in Beijing exceeded 100 in five days. As of midnight on that day, 27 new confirmed cases were added in Beijing, where all communities are fighting the risk of cluster infections in a 'wartime state.'

The new confirmed cases were reported in Dongcheng District (1), Fengtai District (22), Mentougou District (2), Fangshan District (1), and Daxing District (1). Two suspected cases and three asymptomatic infections were also newly reported. Currently, there are 106 confirmed COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in hospitals in Beijing, and 10 asymptomatic infections under medical observation.

In Beijing, since the first new confirmed case related to the Xinfadi Market was reported on the 11th, additional confirmed cases have continued with 6 on the 12th, 36 on the 13th, 36 on the 14th, and 27 on the 15th.

The newly reported confirmed cases in China totaled 40. Besides Beijing, additional confirmed cases were reported in Hebei Province (4) and Sichuan Province (1).

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the cause of the cluster infection in Beijing is unclear and further investigation is needed. Michael Ryan, WHO Executive Director for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said at a video press briefing held at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 15th (local time), "It is normal for the investigation to be led by Chinese authorities. They will provide relevant information to the international community," he explained.

Considering the possibility of mutations of the COVID-19 virus, the unclear source of the virus, and uncertain transmission routes, Beijing has ordered all communities to maintain a wartime state. As Beijing has ordered level 2 COVID-19 prevention measures for all communities, measures such as rechecking temperatures at residential complex entrances and temporarily suspending the opening of indoor cultural and recreational venues have begun.

Beijing has also identified 200,000 people who visited Xinfadi Market after May 30. Nucleic acid testing is currently underway for these individuals. Additionally, large-scale nucleic acid testing is being conducted on workers and samples of agricultural and aquatic products at major local markets, marts, and restaurants. The quarantine intensity for imported agricultural and aquatic products has also been strengthened, and customs are filled with sealed imported agricultural and aquatic products waiting for inspection.

Xu Hejian, Deputy Director (Spokesperson) of the Beijing Municipal Propaganda Department, acknowledged at a press conference the previous day, "This cluster infection is related to Xinfadi Market," adding, "However, we have not yet fully identified the transmission routes of the virus, and since COVID-19 is still spreading overseas, the situation Beijing faces can be described as very serious."

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