Fresh cases reported in Beijing; China alarmed over pandemic resurgence

BEIJING: Authorities in Beijing move to lockdown parts of the city as the pandemic resurge in China’s capital. 75 cases have emerged in the city, all related to a single wholesale food market Xinfadi.

In a bid to contain the virus, authorities are likely to launch a massive test and trace program.  A total of 49 new cases were recorded on June 15, which included 36 from Beijing. The authorities are fearing that the virus may further spread from the capital.

As a result of the cases detected, the market was shut down, while people living in the 10 housing estates in its vicinity are home quarantined. Moreover, under the test and trace system would see 46,000 residents of the area getting tested for the virus. Out of this, 10,000 have already been tested. Nearly all the residential compounds of the city have reinstated security checks before entry and loudspeaker announcements for the new visitors to the compound. 

As of now, 177 people are down with the virus in the country, which had previously defeated the pandemic. This number is the highest since May.

Given that the enforcement measures have been strict in the country post its seeming control over the pandemic, Yang Peng, an epidemiologist working with Beijing city government has found out that the virus has came back from Europe. Moreover, it is not clear as of now how exactly the virus entered the market, Yang said.