Beijing outbreak subsides in phased achievements

Beijing is cautiously recovering from the wave of coronavirus cases centered around the Xinfadi wholesale food market, and is on the brink of downgrading its emergency response, observers said Tuesday, as the city reported no new COVID-19 cases for the first time in 26 days.

In contrast to previous weeks, when dozens of newly confirmed infections were reported daily, more people are walking outside and shopping, while body temperature checks are required at entrances to public places.

More people are also taking public transportation, with the return of long lines in subways and at bus stops. But people are still wearing masks and obeying social distancing.

Wang Hufeng, a professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy of Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Beijing is not totally safe yet.

“Zero newly confirmed infections are only a phased result, and intermittent cases can’t be ruled out,” Wang said, adding that there is no possibility of a large-scale epidemic rebound.

Beijing’s announcement of no new infections does not mean no risks, said Pang Xinghuo, a deputy head of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.

As thousands of people are still under quarantine and the city has 31 asymptomatic cases under medical observation, new cases could be reported in the next week, she said.

Despite the improving situation, Beijing has yet to lower the city’s emergency response from Level II, which was raised on June 16.

Beijing has only one high-risk zone: the Huaxiang sub-district in Fengtai. Wang said the high-risk region is expected to lower its risk level within two weeks as long as there are no more new cluster infections.

It will become a “new normal” in Beijing to conduct regular nucleic acid testing to maintain the city’s epidemic prevention and control work, Beijing officials said Tuesday.