As Beijing prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, China is on heightened alert as it combats local outbreaks in several cities, including Xi'an.
As indicated in a Mail Online report, the northern Chinese city ordered on Wednesday its entire 13-million population to "stay home in a strict lockdown" as apprehensions grow over a new COVID-19 outbreak.
As part of the mandate, the city government said in a statement via its official Weibo social media page that all households may only send one member of the household outside "once every two days" to buy essentials, with all other members to stay indoors except for emergencies.
The city reported 52 COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total to 143 cases in all since December 9. From Thursday midnight, residents should not leave the town unless necessary, said the city government adding, those who seek to go would need to provide proof of "special circumstances" and file an application for such approval. The said orders took place one day after Xi'an started to test its 13 million population.
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This photo taken on December 20, 2021 shows a medical worker taking a sample from a resident, to be tested for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a residential community in Xi'an, in China's northern Shaanxi province, after the detection of more than 40 new cases raised concerns of wider transmission ahead of a busy travel season.
Initiatives to Control Transmission of the Virus
Long-distance bus stations had been closed, and local officials have set up disease control checkpoints on highways out of this Chinese city, as stated in the government notices.
Large-scale gatherings, including outdoor activities, have also been suspended. The museum that houses the world-famous Terracotta Army, the 2,000-year-old mausoleum of the first emperor of China, has been closed until further notice.
China, believed to be the country of origin of COVID-19, has slowed new cases to a drop since mid-2020 through a zero-Covid-19 scheme involving tight border restrictions, prolonged quarantines, and targeted lockdowns. Even just one case can lead to a fast imposition of curbs, the report added.
Xi'an Experiencing Dual Epidemic
According to a Global Times report, dual epidemic threats are miring the city of Xi'an. More so, as it has been combating COVID-19, many reported cases of hemorrhagic fever, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a natural epidemic illness with a high death rate, frightened the public.
Local disease prevention, control departments and hospitals are currently experiencing challenges to fight the two epidemics, which are both infectious to humans.
Experts told the news site that addressing this COVID-19 wave, characterized by highly the infectious Delta variant, remains the most protruding task. The medical response tactic for hemorrhagic fever, which is typically seen each year, has matured compared with COVID-19. It is now easier to detect and much weaker in viral transmission.
16 Million Xi'an Residents Given 'Nucleic Acid' Testing
Since the first report of COVID-19 earlier this month, Xi'an has recorded 49 confirmed cases of the virus, on top of the eight asymptomatic ones. In connection to this, more than 16 million were given "nucleic acid testing," and a new round of tests will begin on Tuesday.
In addition, domestically transmitted cases that may have been stimulated by an imported case from Pakistan have been reported in several districts, also involving a university.
Moreover, cases in Xi'an associated with Dongguan, Guangdong Province of East China, have continued to rise. Meanwhile, sporadic cases were discovered to spill over to other areas, including Beijing, said the National Health Commission earlier.
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