BEIJING: Chinese National Health Commission on Sunday reported 57 new COVID-19 cases, the country’s highest daily figure since April.
The National Health Commission (NHC) said 36 of the new cases were domestic infections in the capital. The other two domestic infections reported Sunday were in northeastern Liaoning province, and local health officials said they were close contacts of the Beijing cases.
The alert was sounded after the National Health Commission confirmed the first cases in Beijing for two months on 12 June and city officials delayed the return of students in primary schools that had not already resumed classes.
The domestic outbreak in China had been brought largely under control through strict lockdowns that were imposed early this year — but a new outbreak has been linked to a meat and vegetable market in south Beijing.
Several of the new cases were linked to the Xinfadi wholesale market, and more cases connected with the market emerged Saturday after wider testing. According to reports, the market was closed and dozens of paramilitary police deployed there on Saturday.
The new cluster of domestic infections has prompted fresh lockdowns with people instructed to stay home in 11 residential estates near to the market.
State-run media reported that the COVID-19 was detected on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon and that major supermarket chains had removed stocks of salmon.
Beijing officials ordered a city-wide food safety inspection focusing on fresh and frozen meat, poultry and fish in supermarkets, warehouses and catering services.
The majority of cases in recent months have been overseas nationals tested as they return home, and the rest of the cases reported Sunday were imported cases from abroad.
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