City reports 13 new COVID infections

Shenzhen reported a total of 13 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, with 10 of them found among close contacts of COVID patients reported since Feb. 15 and another three detected during nucleic acid screenings in key areas.

Among the 13 new confirmed COVID patients, five were diagnosed as asymptomatic infections, while the other eight were all confirmed mild cases of COVID-19.

Two of the five asymptomatic patients live in Airong Garden housing compound in Zhaoshang Subdistrict, Nanshan District, one works in Bao’an District and lives in Huarui Building, Guiyuan Subdistrict, Luohu District, and two live in Shangshadongcun housing estate in Shatou Subdistrict, Futian District.

Among the eight mild cases of COVID, one lives in UDC City Center in Nanshan Subdistrict, Nanshan District, one lives in Huarui Building in Guiyuan Subdistrict, Luohu, one lives in Fuan Building in Shatou Subdistrict, Futian District, one lives in Tian An Cyber Park Shuntai Apartment in Shatou Subdistrict, one lives in Xiasha urban village in Shatou Subdistrict, one lives in Shangshadongcun housing estate in Shatou Subdistrict, one lives in Gangxia urban village in Futian Subdistrict, Futian District, and one lives in No. 3207 Binhe Boulevard, Futian Subdistrict.

As of 12:59 p.m. yesterday, Shenzhen had reported a total of 53 COVID infections since Feb. 15, most of whom were found in centrally quarantined close contacts of previously reported cases, key groups or key areas.

Shenzhen has made every effort to stabilize and control the epidemic situation, resolutely safeguard the life and health of citizens, and ensure the smooth and orderly operation of the city since the recent COVID flare-ups.

Huang Qiang, deputy secretary-general of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, made the remarks at a press conference held by the Information Office of Shenzhen Municipal Government last night.

As of 12:59 p.m. Wednesday, the city’s health authorities had completed the whole genome sequencing of the first 36 COVID cases reported since Feb. 15. The results showed that all 36 patients were infected with the Omicron subvariant BA.2.

Since the latest COVID resurgence, Futian, Luohu and Nanshan districts have carried out epidemiological investigations, launched mass nucleic acid testing, strengthened anti-COVID measures, scientifically delimited lockdown, control and prevention areas for COVID, and spared no effort to ensure the supply of daily necessities and meet the medical needs of those in lockdown and control areas, according to the conference.

The city has also stepped up anti-COVID measures for cross-border drivers, according to Xu Wei, deputy head of the city’s transport bureau. A total of 13 integrated transfer stations for cross-border transportation in the city will be put into trial operation recently, Xu said.

To ensure cross-border goods transportation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the bureau is also mulling the opening of cross-border railway transportation routes to provide more transportation options for commercial businesses in the two cities, according to Xu.