China’s capital, Beijing, has tested millions of residents as it deals with a new cluster of COVID-19 cases just two weeks before it hosts the Winter Olympics, city officials said on Sunday.
In the capital, the 2 million residents of Fengtai district underwent testing following the discovery of more than three dozen cases in the capital. Targeted testing was being conducted at residential communities in six other districts.
The government told people in areas of Beijing deemed at high risk for infection not to leave the city after 25 cases were found in Fengtai and 14 elsewhere. Residents lined up Sunday on snow-covered sidewalks in freezing weather for testing.
The Beijing Municipal Health Commission also said Sunday that anyone who had purchased medicine for fever, cough, and other infections within the past two weeks would be required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
Beijing is particularly on edge ahead of the Winter Olympics, which President Xi Jinping will open on February 4. The Olympics are being held under strict controls that are meant to isolate athletes, staff, reporters, and officials from residents. Athletes are required to be vaccinated or undergo a quarantine after arriving in China.
“We must make every effort to stop the spread as quickly as possible by taking firm, strict and decisive measures,” said Mr. Xi.
Organizers on Monday said 39 people among the 2,586 athletes, team officials, and others who arrived after Jan. 4 had tested positive for the virus upon landing at Beijing airport. Another 33 people who had already entered the bubble isolating participants from the general public later tested positive, the organizing committee said on its website.
In the capital, the 2 million residents of Fengtai district underwent testing following the discovery of more than three dozen cases in the capital. Targeted testing was being conducted at residential communities in six other districts.
The government told people in areas of Beijing deemed at high risk for infection not to leave the city after 25 cases were found in Fengtai and 14 elsewhere. Residents lined up Sunday on snow-covered sidewalks in freezing weather for testing.
The Beijing Municipal Health Commission also said Sunday that anyone who had purchased medicine for fever, cough, and other infections within the past two weeks would be required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
Beijing is particularly on edge ahead of the Winter Olympics, which President Xi Jinping will open on February 4. The Olympics are being held under strict controls that are meant to isolate athletes, staff, reporters, and officials from residents. Athletes are required to be vaccinated or undergo a quarantine after arriving in China.
“We must make every effort to stop the spread as quickly as possible by taking firm, strict and decisive measures,” said Mr. Xi.
Organizers on Monday said 39 people among the 2,586 athletes, team officials, and others who arrived after Jan. 4 had tested positive for the virus upon landing at Beijing airport. Another 33 people who had already entered the bubble isolating participants from the general public later tested positive, the organizing committee said on its website.
