Confirmed Case Reported in Beijing's Largest Korean Resident Area... Tension in the Korean Community

50s Chinese Male Tests Positive After Visiting Hainan... Confirmed Case Movement Shared Through Expat Community
Spread from Nanjing Airport Raises Concerns of Nationwide Spread in China

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As COVID-19 cases emerge across China, a confirmed case has been reported in Wangjing, Chaoyang District, the largest Korean residential area in the capital Beijing, causing tension within the Korean community.

Beijing's infectious disease specialized medical institution, Ditan Hospital, announced on the 4th at 6:40 a.m. that a man in his 50s (Chinese, 52 years old) residing in Wangjing tested positive for COVID-19.

The man boarded a flight from Sanya, Hainan to Beijing on the 30th of last month. He was classified as a close contact after another passenger on the same flight tested positive, and was later confirmed positive himself.

Beijing quarantine authorities are currently strengthening control measures by sealing off not only the apartment where the man lives but also all buildings he visited.

Within the Korean online community, there is a very sensitive atmosphere as the routes including restaurants he visited have been shared.

Additionally, his home address, occupation, and even the seat he occupied on the flight have been disclosed through social networking services (SNS). The confirmed case’s family is currently quarantined at home, and the patient is reported to be receiving treatment at a designated hospital.

Meanwhile, an emergency has been raised in Dandong, Liaoning Province, a border area between North Korea and China, where a COVID-19 case was also reported. According to the Donggang city government, on the 2nd, a cargo truck driver tested weakly positive in a nucleic acid test conducted in Donggang. The driver had recently visited a COVID-19 outbreak area and was tested while passing through Donggang. Authorities stated that further investigation is underway.

Donggang is a region under the jurisdiction of Dandong city, located about 40 km from Donggang to the Dandong train station, where the North Korea-China border bridge is situated. Donggang, especially with its port, has served as a maritime trade hub between Liaoning Province’s Dalian and North Korea before COVID-19, and seafood and other goods are transported from there to various parts of China.