12 million people tested for Covid-19 after two cases recorded
Millions of people have had to undergo compulsory testing for Covid-19 after two infections were found in a city in northern China.
On Monday it was announced that 12 million residents in Tianjin would be tested after the local infections were found.
In recent months, the northern city, close to Beijing, has undergone several rounds of mass testing to curb multiple outbreaks of Covid-19, Reuters reported.
The measures align with China's goal of Covid-zero and several cities have rolled out mass testing or are extending lockdowns to counter Covid clusters.
In the seven days ending on Sunday, China reported an average of 390 local daily Covid infections. The number is relatively small compared to other parts of Asia where there has been a resurgence of outbreaks.
Local authorities in China have tried to combat outbreaks with tougher measures like lockdowns and mass testing.
Residents tested every few days
In Beijing, residents are required to line up every three days for a PCR test, BBC's China correspondent, Stephen McDonell said.
"It’s the same in other cities. Zero Covid dominates life in China. At least it’s only 36 degrees Celsius here," he tweeted, a sarcastic nod to the 40C heat Shanghai residents and pandemic workers have endured.
Following a week of no Covid infections in the capital, two new cases were identified on Monday — an international flight crew member and their roommate.
The affected buildings have been sealed off by authorities.
#Beijing’s 10s of millions of residents must queue for PCR tests every three days. It’s the same in other cities. Zero #Covid dominates life in #China. At least it’s only 36 degrees Celsius here. ;-) pic.twitter.com/IAfvVa4frC
— Stephen McDonell (@StephenMcDonell) July 18, 2022
Shanghai was subject to a harsh two-month lockdown earlier this year and sporadic cases in the commercial hub are still being reported.
There are plans for mass testing to be rolled out in as many as 16 of Shanghai's districts and in some smaller areas with new infections.
The government said there is still an epidemic risk to the community, however of the more than a dozen new cases, none were found outside quarantined areas, local government data showed.
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On Shanghai resident named Wang said she was already required to get rested every weekend at her residential compound.
She said she was speechless when asked about the data which was released on Monday.
"It sounds like a waste of resources that doesn't address the real problem," she told Reuters.
Tourists left stranded after lockdown
In Lanzhou, a city in China's northwest, four major districts were locked down last week, impacting around three million residents. Millions more people are in lockdown in the central Chinese city of Zhumadia.
On Monday, the southwestern city of Chengdu said entertainment and cultural venues would be suspended.
After a snap-lockdown was imposed in Beihai, some 2000 tourist were left stranded, CNN reported.
Parts if the city were placed in lockdown on Saturday, with people not allowed to leave their homes and mass testing is now required.
On Sunday, Weizhou, an island south of Beihai had all entertainment venues shut, along with scenic spots on the island.
On Tuesday, mainland China reported 776 new Covid-19 cases for the previous day. Of the new cases, 237 were symptomatic and 539 were asymptomatic.
However, there were no new Covid-related deaths, leaving China's fatalities at 5,226 since the start of the pandemic.
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