Signs of COVID-19 Resurgence in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, Avoid Beijing Gatherings

More Infections Than Hong Kong SARS 2003, Social Distancing Strengthened
Chinese Government Dispatches Over 200 Emergency Medical Team Members to Xinjiang

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have occurred in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Hong Kong, putting Chinese health authorities on high alert.

While the COVID-19 emergency response level in the capital Beijing (北京) was downgraded from level 2 to level 3, cluster infections have started again in other regions.

The National Health Commission of China announced on the 20th that 22 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide on the 19th, with no deaths. Among them, 17 new cases were reported in the mainland, all from Xinjiang. The remaining 5 cases were imported from overseas.

In Xinjiang, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases has been in double digits for consecutive days: 16 on the 17th, 13 on the 18th, and 17 on the 19th.

The Chinese government has dispatched over 200 medical personnel, including nucleic acid testing teams, to Xinjiang.

In Hong Kong, 108 new COVID-19 cases were reported as of the 19th, bringing the cumulative total to 1,885. This surpasses the 1,775 infections recorded during the 2003 SARS outbreak.

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, stated, "Hong Kong is currently facing a serious situation," and announced that social distancing policies will be strengthened to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19.

Accordingly, Hong Kong citizens must wear masks at all times in indoor public places such as subways, buses, and shopping centers. Violations may result in fines of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 780,000 Korean won).

Additionally, about 180,000 civil servants, excluding emergency and essential personnel, began working from home for one week starting on the 20th.

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