"A Different Coronavirus Than Before"... 'Asymptomatic Cluster Infection Fear' Hits Xinjiang, China

164 Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infections Reported in Xinjiang, China

A quarantine officer preparing for a COVID-19 test at a hotel in the Kas region. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] In the Kashgar Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, 137 new asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 were reported in just one day.

According to authorities, a total of 164 asymptomatic cases have been identified in the region over three days since the first asymptomatic case was reported on the 24th.

The asymptomatic case reported on the 24th was a 17-year-old woman working at a garment factory who tested positive during a routine COVID-19 screening. She was confirmed to be an asymptomatic carrier.

According to the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), the Chinese epidemic prevention command conducted nucleic acid tests on close contacts of this patient and their close contacts, resulting in 137 additional positive cases by 2 p.m. on the 25th.

All 137 individuals were classified as asymptomatic carriers. In China, individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do not exhibit symptoms such as fever or cough are not counted as confirmed cases but are recorded as asymptomatic infections.

The Kashgar Prefecture epidemic prevention command immediately issued a Level 1 response alert.

Regarding this, on the 26th, CCTV reported that senior expert Zeng Guang from the Chinese National Health Commission stated, "The coronavirus occurring in Xinjiang this time is different from before."

He explained, "It occurred in rural areas inhabited by ethnic minorities rather than densely populated cities, and although a large number of asymptomatic infections emerged, no confirmed cases with symptoms such as fever or cough were reported."

He added, "If these asymptomatic infections do not convert into confirmed cases in the future, it means that this coronavirus is transmitted entirely asymptomatically." He further noted, "Such cases have not been seen since the outbreak of COVID-19, so detailed research and investigation are necessary."