Xinjiang reports 137 new asymptomatic cases on Sunday
Nucleic acid testing in Kashi prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region covering more than 4.7 million people was in full swing on Sunday, aiming to curb virus transmissions after 138 asymptomatic cases were reported in two days.
Experts warned that such a large number of asymptomatic patients could mean the virus has been spreading among communities. They called for thorough testing and epidemiological investigations to find out more potential COVID-19 patients.
Since the local government reported one asymptomatic case on Saturday, a 17-year-old female who works in a clothing factory in Shufu county, Kashi reported 137 new asymptomatic cases on Sunday, all related to the first case. The source of infection of the first case is unknown.
The new outbreak came two months after Xinjiang curbed a cluster of infections in regional capital Urumqi in early August. Kashi is running citywide tests and is hoping to test the entire city population of 4.7 million by Tuesday.
The health commission said that the first patient detected has been in Shufu county the entire year, and has not knowingly been in contact with any confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, nor has she been in contact with fever patients or wild animals.
The city conducted nucleic acid tests on 831 employees of the clothing factory where she works, and none tested positive. However, 137 close contacts of the woman's parents did test positive, but they are also asymptomatic.
Kashi initiated Emergency Response Level 1 after the city reported 138 asymptomatic cases, and expert groups have been dispatched to conduct medical work in Shufu county, where those cases reside, said Xinjiang officials.
A Level 1 response means the local government is empowered to suspend large gatherings, classes and activities.
Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn
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