A medical worker from Henan Province dispatched to Sanya, Hainan Province, China, where lockdown measures were imposed due to the spread of COVID-19, is collecting a specimen from a local resident for a nucleic acid test on the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As COVID-19 spreads centered on Hainan Island, a representative tourist destination in China, the number of new confirmed cases in China reached the highest level in three months. Although the Chinese government imposed a two-week lockdown on Hainan Island, it was reported that the virus rapidly spread within the island despite the authorities' efforts.
On the 18th (local time), Bloomberg reported that 3,424 new confirmed cases were reported nationwide the previous day, marking the highest number in three months. The number of COVID-19 cases in China peaked at 24,281 on April 15 and steadily declined, remaining below 1,000 since May.
Bloomberg stated, "Among the cases counted that day, 2,018 were infected in Hainan Province," adding, "Despite the two-week lockdown, the virus continues to spread within the island."
Earlier, Sanya City in Hainan Province issued a two-week lockdown on the entire island and city from the 6th to the 15th after COVID-19 spread within the island due to tourists flocking for the summer vacation peak season.
As a result, with 150,000 tourists stranded, from the 10th, only those who tested negative twice within 48 hours by PCR test were allowed to return to their residences. On the 15th, flight operations resumed.
However, despite the authorities' efforts to prevent the spread, Bloomberg reported that as many as 1,231 confirmed cases occurred in Sanya City, located at the southernmost part of Hainan Island, the previous day.
As confirmed cases rapidly increased, Hainan authorities built four field hospitals with 7,000 beds. Additionally, 2,000 medical workers were dispatched to Hainan Province from Shanghai, Shandong, Guangxi, and other regions.
According to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of the 16th, 21 Korean tourists were confirmed to be quarantined on Hainan Island.
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