Delta Variant Of COVID-19 Soars, China Steps Up Efforts To Protect Beijing

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JAKARTA - China is stepping up efforts to protect the capital Beijing, as the rise in cases of COVID-19 triggered by the Delta variant spreads to a number of cities across the country.

The National Health Commission on Saturday reported 107 new confirmed cases in mainland China for August 6, compared to 124 the previous day.

Of the 107 new cases, 75 were local transmissions, most of which came from the eastern province of Jiangsu. Local cases the day before reached 80.

Beijing residents residing in higher-risk areas will have to delay their return, while those from other areas are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result, the results of a meeting of local officials Saturday, the Beijing Daily reported.

Pandemic prevention measures on rail lines, highways, and airports must be strengthened, they said. A number of local officials have been summoned by the Beijing government for loosening restrictions that have allowed the Delta variant to come in from various places.

To contain the contagion, several cities have started a series of mass tests to find carriers of the virus. Intercity travel restrictions have been imposed, and public gathering spaces such as entertainment venues have been closed or restricted.

But a health official said last week he expected China's latest outbreak to be largely contained within weeks. China reported 32 asymptomatic cases, which did not count as confirmed cases, compared to 58 the previous day.

As of August 6, China had recorded 93.605 confirmed cases with the total number of deaths reaching 4.636.