China orders Covid-19 tests for millions within days as local cases hit new high in latest outbreak
- Country logs 181 new cases including 108 local symptomatic infections, the highest since the current wave began on July 20
- Authorities tightening nationwide pandemic control measures over fears of further spread of Delta variant
China has ordered areas with populations of more than 5 million to be fully tested for Covid-19 within three days, while those with less than 5 million residents have two days to do the same.
“Once the decision is made to carry out mass testing, implementation plans must be put in place as soon as possible,” the NHC notice said.
The mainland had recorded 181 new Covid-19 infections as of Monday, including 143 new symptomatic cases, the highest daily figure since infections began to rise again on July 20. Among the 143 were 108 local cases and 35 imported, with no new deaths. Of the 38 asymptomatic infections, 20 were local cases and 18 imported. China now has 1,702 outstanding Covid-19 cases, including 54 severe infections, according to the NHC.
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Mainland officials have attributed the surge in cases to the Delta variant, which has an incubation period of four days instead of the typical six, meaning that there has been a race to speed up testing for early detection. Viral loads in Delta variant infections are 1,260 times higher than those from the original strain.
The variant, which was first identified in India in October, was at the centre of an outbreak in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong in mid-May and has been described as the most contagious strain of the coronavirus.
