A fresh outbreak of the coronavirus has put paid to plans of a return to normal
A health worker wearing a protective suit takes a swab test from a man to test for the COVID-19 coronavirus at a testing site in Beijing on June 18, 2020. Picture: STR / AFP
The new cluster of infections, which emerged after a lull of nearly two months, has grown to more than 150 infections in less than a week and spread to at least four other provinces. While the daily count of new cases is slowing from previous days, health officials have warned that the outbreak is expected to continue growing.
While Beijing has avoided a citywide lockdown, movement has been restricted in areas where cases have been detected. Multiple markets have been shut down as infections were found, with strict restrictions implemented in nearby residential compounds. The source of Beijing’s outbreak remains unclear, though Chinese officials have indicated they think it came from Europe. Salmon is being boycotted in China after the virus was traced to the chopping board of a vendor selling the imported seafood and authorities are testing some food imports before allowing them in the country. Scientists say there’s no evidence that food can transmit the pathogen.
Authorities on Wednesday said they had tested about 356,000 individuals since June 13 and planned to test another 355,000 on Wednesday. So far, 158 confirmed cases have been detected. For foreigners, the prospects of being able to travel home or return to the city have again dimmed after signs that China was beginning to ease restrictions with some countries. Hundreds more flights in and out of Beijing were cancelled on Thursday, according to the websites of the city’s airports.
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