Authorities are stepping up vigilance at points of entry amid rising infections in the northeastern border city, caused by a virus that has arrived from overseas.
From October 17 to October 29, there were about 377 cases of infection in the country with confirmed symptoms, according to the National Health Commission. China has been battling a series of outbreaks this year. In early 2020, they also actively curbed the spread across the country.
The numbers remain small compared to statistics outside of China. However, as the rest of the world tries to coexist with COVID-19, China maintains its zero tolerance, calling for vigilance in border areas and ports, preventing infected arriving travelers from spreading the virus to locals.
“In the past 14 days, fourteen provincial districts have reported new cases of local transmission or asymptomatic carriers. The outbreak is still developing rapidly and the situation with viral control remains severe and challenging,” National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said Saturday.
Heihe, a small northeastern city of 1.3 million on the Chinese side of the Amur River on the border with Russia, reported 26 local infections on October 29, up sharply from nine cases on 28 October and just one case 27 October.
“The outbreak has exposed the lethargy of some local authorities,” said Wu Lianyu, another spokesman for the National Health Commission.
China, especially ports of entry, should strengthen test screening for people at high risk of infection and improve monitoring of potential outbreaks as the virus is still spreading in neighboring countries, Wu said at a briefing.
In major cities, officials have pledged to severely limit the spread of the virus at key international events to minimize the risk of importing the virus.
Chinese athletes and staff supporting the event must receive booster vaccinations in order to safely host the Winter Olympics in February, according to state television, while booster vaccinations are recommended for foreign athletes but not mandatory.
China intends to complete vaccination of children aged 3 to 11 by the end of December, with the exception of children with diseases that could make the COVID-19 vaccine dangerous, Wu said.
In China, about 75.8% of the population has already been fully vaccinated and adults are being revaccinated.
– .
