COVID cases in Beijing lead officials to suspend classes, conduct mass testing

world-regions capital city of Beijing is on alert after 10 middle school students tested positive for the infectious-disease

City officials suspended classes in the school for a week on Friday following the initial round of testing.

SHANGHAI PLEDGES TO IMPROVE FOOD SUPPLIES, EASE VIRUS RESTRICTIONS

Local media reported that, in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, the city government also ordered the suspension of in-person after-school activities. 

Officials are conducting mass testing to look for more cases.

Four other cases in Beijing were counted separately.

  • People at a Beijing coronavirus testing facility Image 1 of 6

    A worker in a protective takes a swab for a COVID-19 test at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing, Saturday, April 23, 2022. Beijing is on alert after 10 middle school students tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, in what city officials said was an initial round of testing.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

  • People in line at a Beijing coronavirus testing facility Image 2 of 6

    People stand in line for COVID-19 tests at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing, Saturday, April 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

  • A man takes a COVID-19 test in a Beijing facility Image 3 of 6

    A worker in a protective takes a swab for a COVID-19 test at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing, Saturday, April 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

  • People in line at a Beijing coronavirus testing facility Image 4 of 6

    People stand in line for COVID-19 tests at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing, Saturday, April 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

  • People in line at a Beijing coronavirus testing facility Image 5 of 6

    People stand in line for COVID-19 tests at a coronavirus testing facility in Beijing, Saturday, April 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

  • People in a Beijing subway station Image 6 of 6

    FILE – Commuters wearing face masks walk in a subway station in Beijing, Friday, April 22, 2022.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

On Saturday, mainland China reported 24,326 new cases, with the majority in Shanghai. 

Shanghai’s lockdown and strict “zero-COVID” strategy have drawn global attention, though officials have recently taken steps to loosen restrictions for some residents. 

On Friday, the city pledged to make “every effort” to resolve problems that prompted complaints about a lack of adequate food” target=”_blank”>food<

Truck drivers have been hindered by multiple checkpoints and wild-nature tests, leading to long waits. 

Under a new system, the drivers are allowed through if they had had a negative virus test within the past 48 hours, no fever and a “green health code” on their smartphone that shows they haven’t been to areas with outbreaks, according to Wu Chungeng, director of the Highway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation.

“All localities should directly release them,” Wu said, according to reports.

American Merchant Marine stuck in Shanghai port during lockdown Video

Most offices and factories are still closed  – even as 12.3 million have been allowed out of their homes.

Authorities are enforcing a three-tier system that allows residents out of their homes if their area has had no new infectious-disease” target=”_blank”>infections<

Shanghai officials reported 12 new deaths on Saturday, all of which were elderly patients with underlying illnesses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Leave a Reply