THE National Health Commission has sent a working team to Shulan, a county-level city in Northeast China’s Jilin Province which recently reported multiple domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, an official said yesterday. The team will help the treatment and epidemiological investigation in the locality, Mi Feng, spokesperson for the commission, said at a press conference. The city reported 11 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases Saturday, all domestically transmitted cases. Mi said the domestically transmitted cases and the cluster infections are a reminder that there should be no decline in vigilance in the routine anti-epidemic work. Shulan has announced that it will re-impose “closed-off management” in all communities and villages after a COVID-19 infection cluster was discovered. At a press conference Monday, Mayor Jin Hua said the city is in a “wartime” battle against the virus and the local government will take the strictest measures to control the spread. Authorities have now ordered all public places, including sporting facilities, scenic areas, movie theaters and libraries, be temporarily closed. All residents should stay home, except under unusual circumstances. Students in their last year of middle or senior high schools will return to take classes online. Provincial officials also upgraded the coronavirus risk level in Shulan to high Sunday, making it the only city in China with that designation. Local authorities said they will conduct a thorough investigation of all Shulan residents and perform contact tracing on those who were in close contact with the newly diagnosed patients. Besides a re-imposed community lockdown, the local railway company halted nearly a dozen train services, in and out of the city, from Sunday through the end of May. All public transportation, including buses, also suspended service starting Sunday. No taxis are allowed to leave the city. The local government vowed to satisfy all residents’ daily needs while implementing the new restrictions. (Xinhua) |