Beijing reports 50 new local COVID-19 infections

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Beijing reported 50 new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections between 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday, local authorities said.

The new cases include a cluster infection in Shunyi District, with 21 people testing positive for the novel coronavirus so far, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal disease prevention and control center, at a press conference.

A total of 915 close contacts and 108 sub-close contacts of the cases in Shunyi are now under quarantine, and the district has intensified epidemic prevention and control measures and urged all personnel to work from home to contain the spread of the virus.

The outbreak in Shunyi was caused by sporadic hidden transmission sources in communities, said Pang. Pang added that the cluster infection increased the uncertainty of the epidemic situation in Beijing.

Beijing will continue to maintain strict and tight prevention and control measures. A negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours is required to enter public venues since May 12, and indoor entertainment facilities will continue to suspend business.

Visitor flow to parks and scenic areas will continue to be capped at half the capacity, and eat-in services at restaurants remain unavailable. All primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and secondary vocational schools in Beijing will continue online classes at home.

Mass nucleic acid testings will take place on alternate days in different districts across the city starting from Tuesday.