25 New COVID-19 Cluster Infections in Beijing... Spreading to 5 Surrounding Provinces

by Kim HyeongMin

Published 19 Jun.2020 17:40(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that began at Xinfadi Market, the largest agricultural and aquatic products wholesale market in Beijing, China, has spread to five provinces including Hebei, Liaoning, Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Henan, in addition to Beijing.

The Henan Provincial Health Commission announced on the 19th that one asymptomatic infection was confirmed on the 18th. This patient is a merchant at Xinfadi Market.

As a result, the regions with infections related to Xinfadi Market have increased to five provinces besides Beijing.

The previous day, two additional confirmed cases were reported in Hebei Province, adjacent to Beijing, and one new confirmed case was identified in Liaoning Province, indicating a gradual increase in infections outside Beijing.

According to the National Health Commission of China, 32 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported on the mainland on the 18th, with no deaths.

Of these, 25 new confirmed cases were in Beijing alone. The cumulative number of confirmed cases linked to the wholesale market in Beijing has exceeded 180 over eight days since the 11th. There were four new confirmed cases of overseas imported infections.

The Chinese government reported five asymptomatic infections on the 18th, which are not included in the official confirmed case statistics.

Meanwhile, as COVID-19 infections continue in Beijing, the Beijing municipal government has prohibited the movement of confirmed patients, suspected patients, and close contacts outside Beijing to prevent the spread throughout China.

People other than those in high-risk groups who wish to leave Beijing must present a negative nucleic acid test certificate obtained within seven days when boarding airplanes or trains.