COVID-19: Beijing's 36 new cases all linked to Xinfadi market

The view outside the Xinfadi wholesale market, Beijing, China. /VCG

Beijing registered 36 new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases on Saturday, all linked to the Xinfadi wholesale market, a local official said on Sunday.

The 36 new cases, 15 males and 21 females, consist of 27 individuals working at the market while another nine people who were exposed to the market directly or indirectly, official said.

The city will conduct nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 on all the staff working in the market and nearby residents, Xu Hejian, spokesperson for the Beijing municipal government, told a press conference.

By Saturday, Beijing had reported 463 confirmed domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, including 411 who had been discharged from hospital after recovery, and nine deaths.

There were still 43 patients receiving medical treatment in hospital and one asymptomatic case under medical observation.

In addition to suspending operations at the major wholesale market, officials have tightened virus control measures to contain the spread.

Things you may want to know about Beijing's new COVID-19 cases

People line up at the gate of Beijing You'an Hospital, a few kilometers from the Xinfadi wholesale market for nucleic acid tests in Beijing, China, June 14, 2020. /VCG

Beijing's Chaoyang District launches thorough food safety inspection

Beijing's Chaoyang District also began thorough food safety inspections at 41 reopened farm produce markets on Saturday.

District officials said pork, beef and seafood are the key products for inspection. They will also examine other businesses in the region, including supermarkets and restaurants, to strictly maintain product quality and safeguard food safety.

79 hospital workers test negative after contacting COVID-19 patients

All 79 workers at Beijing's Xuanwu Hospital and Boai Hospital who had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients have tested negative for coronavirus, health officials said on Sunday.

Gao Xiaojun, Beijing Health Commission spokesperson, told a press briefing that the city has strengthened prevention measures at medical institutions to lower the infection risk for health workers.

The city dispatched another eight experts on Saturday to inspect and guide prevention work in local hospitals.

Xinfadi, the largest wholesale market for fruit, vegetable and meat supplies in Beijing, was closed temporarily on Saturday for disinfection after personnel working there and some surfaces tested positive for the novel coronavirus.