Chinese capital steps up COVID-19 measures as cases quadruple
A woman gets a swab at a nucleic acid testing station set up to trace possible coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreaks in Beijing, China, October 7, 2022. REUTERS FILE PHOTO
BEIJING — China’s capital, Beijing, has dialed up measures to stop COVID, strengthening public checks and locking down some residential compounds after a quadrupling of its case load in recent weeks, just as a key Communist Party congress entered full swing.
The city of 21 million people on Thursday reported 18 new locally transmitted cases for the previous day, bringing the tally for the past 10 days to 197. That is four times more than the 49 infections detected in the previous 10-day period.
While the number of cases is very small compared with other countries, China’s zero-COVID policy has compelled the capital to ratchet up preventive measures, particularly with the Communist Party holding its once-every-five-years congress this week, during which President Xi Jinping is expected to win a precedent-breaking third term as its leader.
Beijing’s health authority called for stronger screening of risky individuals and meticulous checks on people entering crowded places including supermarkets and gyms.
Some residential compounds with suspected cases were put under three-day lockdowns that could be extended if new infections emerge.
“Ensure that no one is overlooked,” Beijing’s health authorities said.
In recent days, China has pledged to stick to its zero-COVID policy despite growing public frustration with it and its toll on the economy, quelling speculation that it would relax the hardline stance soon.
Shanghai, like many other Chinese cities battling sporadic COVID outbreaks, revealed this week that it was planning to build a 3,250-bed quarantine facility on a small island close to the city centre.
In April-May, the city of 25 million people endured a protracted lockdown after detecting hundreds of thousands of cases.
Other major cities including Beijing and Guangzhou have similar quarantine centers with thousands of beds. They also conduct regular public testing campaigns.
RELATED STORIES
Beijing to tighten COVID-19 control measures following summer vacation
China imposes COVID-19 lockdown for millions around Beijing
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
