Coronavirus: fresh China cluster raises fears for pandemic control

China reported its highest daily number of new coronavirus since April on Sunday with parts of Beijing still under lockdown.

Security is stepped up at the Beijing market on Sunday. Picture: AFP

China reported its highest daily number of new coronavirus cases since April on Sunday with parts of Beijing placed under lockdown, offering a second-wave warning to the rest of the world.

The shock resurgence in domestic infections has rattled China, where the disease emerged late last year but had largely been tamed through severe restrictions on movement that were later emulated across the globe.

It also provides a bleak insight into the difficulties the world faces in conquering COVID-19, even as countries in Europe prepare to reopen borders at the beginning of the summer holiday season after an encouraging drop in contagion.

Of the 57 new cases logged by Chinese authorities, 36 were domestic infections in the capital, where a large wholesale food market at the centre of the outbreak was closed and nearby housing estates locked down. The other two domestic infections reported on Sunday were in northeastern Liaoning province, and local health officials said they were close contacts of the Beijing cases.

The alert was sounded

Paramilitary police prepare to guard entrances to the closed Xinfadi market in Beijing on Saturday. Picture: AFP

after China’s National Health Commission confirmed the first cases in Beijing for two months on Friday and officials delayed the return of students in primary schools that had not already resumed classes. Several of the new cases were linked to the Xinfadi wholesale market, and more cases connected to the market emerged on Saturday after wider testing.

The market was closed and hundreds of police officers, many wearing masks and gloves, and dozens of paramilitary police were deployed there on Saturday.

The new cluster of domestic infections has prompted fresh lockdowns with people ordered to stay home in 11 residential estates.

The outbreak has turned the spotlight on the food supply chain, with some other markets in the city also closed.

State-run media reported the virus was detected on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon, and major supermarkets had removed stocks of salmon.

Beijing authorities ordered a city-wide food safety inspection focusing on fresh and frozen meat, poultry and fish in supermarkets, warehouses and catering services.

One trader named Sun, selling tomatoes and cherries at a local food market in central Beijing, said on Sunday that there were fewer customers than normal.

“People are scared,” he said. “The meat sellers have had to close. This disease is really scary.” Although the Xinfadi market accounts for much of the capital’s food supply, Mr Sun said it didn’t affect him as he ordered his produce directly from farmers.

Others were less concerned.

“Business is as usual on my stand,” a fruit and vegetable seller said. “I’m not particularly afraid of this new outbreak.” She said it was “reassuring” that the areas around Xinfadi had been locked down. And 32-year-old shopper Song Weiming said: “As long as you wear a face mask, it should be fine. Anyway, I have to buy food.’’

City authorities have closed nine schools and kindergartens near Xinfadi, while sporting events, group dining and cross-provincial tour groups have also been stopped in a bid to stamp out this latest cluster.

The majority of cases in recent months have been overseas nationals tested as they return home, and the rest of the cases reported on Sunday were imported cases from abroad.

AFP