COVID-19 cases resurface in China

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The health authorities in China received a warning shot as Jilin province's health commission reported three new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases on May 11, bringing the total during the past three days to 15.

One of the new cases was in Shulan, which has been categorized as a high-risk epidemic region since May 10, the only such area in the country. The other two cases were in Jilin's Fengman district, which raised its COVID-19 alert level from low to medium risk, the provincial epidemic control team said May 11 

A 45-year-old woman in Shulan, who was diagnosed on May 7, was tied to infections in several of her family members and others with whom she had close contact, according to the commission. 

A total of 276 related close contacts have been placed in quarantine, the commission said. All residential areas in Shulan have been locked down since May 9, the local epidemic control department revealed as families were allowed to send one member outside each day to make purchases. 

It has been made mandatory for the residents to register information and scan the health codes on their phones when entering and leaving communities, and masks and temperature checks are mandatory and the visitors were not allowed. 

On May 10, the China Railway Shenyang Group temporarily suspended train service between Shulan and some other cities, including Changchun, Jilin's capital. 

Changchun published notices on May 11 to residents who had traveled to Shulan after April 26. Anyone who returned to Changchun from Shulan has been advised to report to the authorities immediately to be placed under quarantine and to get tested for the coronavirus, a statement from Changchun's virus control and prevention department said.