'Club-Originated Cluster Infection' Breaches Quarantine... Beijing Faces Re-lockdown Crisis

Infected Cases Scattered Across 14 Districts... Delay in Normalizing In-Person Classes for Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
Shanghai Remains Precarious Despite Lifted Lockdown

On the 12th, at the entrance of a residential building in Beijing, China, where a cluster of COVID-19 infections originated from a club, a quarantine official wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is gesturing to a man.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] A COVID-19 cluster infection occurred at a club in Beijing, China. People who visited the club reside throughout Beijing, raising concerns of a COVID-19 resurgence and signs of the city being locked down again.

In Shanghai, which lifted its city lockdown on the 1st, new infections have been reported in quarantine zones, raising fears of another lockdown.

According to the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the 12th, 65 new infections (including 31 asymptomatic cases) were reported the previous day. All new infections were among people who visited a club in Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing's largest entertainment area.

Over the past three days, 115 infections have been reported from this club alone, and authorities are tracking the movements of those who visited the club.

According to Beijing city, the number of close contacts related to the club cluster infection is 6,158, with infected individuals residing across 14 districts. Since Beijing has a total of 16 districts, it is highly likely that the infection has already spread or will spread throughout the city.

The city initially planned to resume in-person classes for elementary, middle, and high schools starting on the 13th but announced a postponement over the weekend. The largest theme park, Universal Studios, also temporarily postponed its scheduled reopening on the 11th, and major tourist sites have suspended operations.

Additionally, residential complexes with infections have been locked down, and PCR testing is being conducted for all residents.

In Shanghai, infections have also increased. The number of new infections reported yesterday was 29, the highest since 22 cases on the 30th of last month before the lockdown was lifted. Notably, four infections occurred outside quarantine zones, causing concern among health authorities.

Foreign media reported that Shanghai authorities decided to conduct PCR tests for all residents in 15 out of 16 districts over two days, from the 11th to the 12th, and prohibited residents from going out during the testing period. According to Bloomberg, considering the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, Shanghai may enter lockdown again, which could threaten economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Beijing city has locked down residential complexes where infections have occurred, publicly disclosed detailed movement paths of infected individuals, and is encouraging close contacts to voluntarily report themselves.