(Image source from: cnbcfm.com)
While there has been a subsequent drop in the number of imported cases in China, dropping from 36 to 34 on Friday, the number of local infections has risen again after the relaxation of the lockdown restrictions.
China reported new local cases in Beijing for the first time in three weeks, inciting a possible risk of resurgence of the virus in the country.
In order to prevent the rebound impacts of the virus on the public’s life, China has been providing with coronavirus tests to the public. On the same account, the authorities are also offering coupons to the citizens to ensure that they redeem the same to help get the economy of the country back on its feet.
On Friday, China is going to report a mass shrinkage in the economy by 6.5% in the first quarter, which is the first such contraction since 1992. The same happened back when the country started issuing quarterly gross domestic product data.
The National Health Commission in China reported that the number of imported cases dropped from 36 to 34 on Friday with the stringent border checks and the ban on the international flights and also a ban on the entry of the foreigners from other countries.
But, the number of the locally transmitted confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus rose to 12 from 10 just a day before. Beijing reported three fresh cases for the first time since March 23.
The other local cases that were reported were from the provinces of Heilongjiang and Guangdong, both of which have been high on the infected cases with the travellers from outside the country.
Aside from that, mainland China also reported 46 new cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of infected cases to 82,341.
In the northwestern province of Shanxi, the authorities reported on Thursday that they are going to distribute nucleic acid testing to the public for early detection of the virus. This initiative was taken to spot, quarantine and treat the new cases that have been rising around.
The provincial authorities clarified that these tests will be provided to the ones who need to get the tests done along with the residents who want to get a test done for their own sake.
The city of Harbin in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang that has a rise in the influx of the infection from the Chinese people crossing the border of Russia, has also reported that they have started giving tests this week to the citizens who want them.
Following the footprints, more cities are rolling out similar measures to mitigate the further spread. The eastern city of Wenzhou also reported that they are going to role out over $1.3 billion worth of coupons to get their economy back on track. The same is going to be done in Wuhan as well, as per the reports.
Amidst some of the new cases, Heilongjiang reported 16 fresh cases, all of which are Chinese who have come from Russia. Aside from that, even Guangdong reported 5 new cases from overseas travellers.
There has been a rise in the number of asymptomatic cases as well, taking the total from 57 to 64 on Thursday.
China has reported that they don’t include the individuals with no signs of the Covid-19 under their list of confirmed cases. Some of the new confirmed cases have thus been asymptomatic at first.
By Somapika Dutta