In China, mass tests against the coronavirus were carried out in the most populous Chaoyang District of Beijing, due to a ‘fierce’ epidemic in the region, local administration spokesman Xu Hejian said at a press conference. From today and for three days, local residents will therefore be tested for Covid-19, the municipal health commission explained. The decision was made after 166 “staph infections” related to a supermarket cafe in Chaoyang were diagnosed from Thursday to yesterday. Of those cases, 145 were banned customers. Yesterday it was confirmed 29 cases with local transmission and 22 asymptomatic cases.
“At the moment, there is still a risk of further spread. The most urgent task at the moment is to trace the source of the block as well as manage and control the risks, adding that Beijing should prevent the emergence of “epidemic amplifiers,” Xu said.
Two buildings housing hundreds of residents in the Chaoyang District have been quarantined after one positive case. Large metal barriers have been erected around the complex. Personnel in fire-resistant suits and equipped with disinfectants entered the building and security and police officers were placed on duty at the exits. Several nearby businesses have been placed in temporary isolation by police tape and security personnel have arrived to block exits.