Wuhan plans to conduct COVID-19 tests on the Chinese city’s entire population after new cases emerged for the first time in weeks in the cradle of the global pandemic, state media reported yesterday.
Officials have been ordered to submit by noon yesterday plans to administer nucleic acid tests on all residents in the city of 11 million people, according to an official notice carried by news outlets.
“Each district should make plans and arrangements to conduct nucleic acid tests on the entire population in its jurisdiction within a 10-day time limit,” the notice said, although it was unclear when testing would begin.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The plan comes after Wuhan reported the first cluster of new COVID-19 infections since the city reopened after a 76-day lockdown from April 8.
Six new cases were reported on Sunday and Monday from a residential compound in Dongxihu District.
However, an official from the Dongxihu District epidemic prevention and control commanding office said that they have “not yet received news about this notice.”
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention chief epidemiologist Wu Zunyou (吳尊友) told state broadcaster China Central Television that it was “not necessary” for every person in Wuhan to be tested.
“Neighborhoods without any cases don’t need to screen every person,” Wu said, while large-scale screening should focus on “key jobs” and other criteria.
China has largely brought the virus under control, but it has been on edge about being hit by a second wave as it has lifted lockdowns and restrictions across the nation.
Virus clusters have appeared in recent weeks in the northeastern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang, which border Russia.
With the virus taking hold in other nations, China has barred entry to most foreigners.
Wuhan has reported 3,869 deaths since the novel coronavirus first emerged there in December last year, accounting for most fatalities in China. Scientists believe the virus jumped from animals to humans at a market that sold wildlife in the city.
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