Beijing Government Strengthens Initiative to Fight COVID-19, Testing 20 Million People Daily to Prevent Lockdown Distress in Shanghai

Three-quarters of the 22 million population of Beijing were reported to have lined up for COVID-19 tests early today as authorities in the Chinese capital were racing to stamp out a budding outbreak and prevent the debilitating lockdown in the entire city that has shrouded Shanghai for one month.

Reuters reported that having seen the struggles of the commercial hub of China to meet its increasingly frustrated 25 million residents' basic needs, people in Beijing were stocking up on supplies and food.

Videos uploaded on social media showed people who leaned out of Shanghai windows to beat pans and pots in anger, or play, Do You Hear the People SIng?, a demonstration anthem from the popular Les Miserables musical, on trumpets and flutes.

This said report specified that Beijing hoped to avoid such a drama by acting fast. The country started tests in its most populated district Chaoyang yesterday morning.

By nighttime, the authorities were able to list 19 other districts, and a single economic development zone for mandatory COVID-19 tests this week, covering 20 million people in all, of which 16 million were slated to be screened today.

The orders came a few days following the detection of dozens of infections. Shanghai awaited approximately one month and over 1,000 cases prior to the launch of citywide testing early this month.

Stronger Virus Controls Than in Other Places

A Beijing cook named Liu Wentao said, while on his way to get tested, he was worried about the new outbreak, although he was confident the capital could handle it.

He continued saying the virus controls are stronger compared to the other places. He added, that he doesn't think it will be like Shanghai.

Beijing, in particular, recorded 33 new COVID-19 infections on April 25, a rise from 19 the day before without reported deaths so far in the outbreak.

The total number of caseloads is said to be minuscule, compared to the hundreds of thousands in shanghai, National Post specified in a similar report.

Essentially, Shanghai reported 52 new COVID-19 deaths today, up from 51 days before. That' taking the official number of deaths to 190, all reported from April 17 onwards, though a lot of residents have said relatives and friends died after they caught COVID-19 as early as last month, casting doubt over the statistics.

Extended COVID-19 Lockdown

Meanwhile, in the capital, Stores, schools, and offices stayed open, although the iconic Lama temple, according to a similar Independent report, would be closed, whereas the National Theater would close for the rest of April.

Officials have encouraged the residents to refrain from leaving the capital and avoid gatherings for the upcoming Labor Day holidays from April 30 to May 4.

In places, on the other hand, where leaving home is permitted, residents were asked to take COVID-19 rapid antigen tests on their own, instead of lining up for PCR testing in the rain, In the remaining parts of Shanghai, daily PCR tests remained compulsory.

The extended lockdown has fueled frustration over lost incomes, separation from family and loved ones, and quarantine conditions, as well as access to food and medical care, with residents who struggle to dispose of trash and run basic errands.

Report about COVID-19 in China is shown on Arirang News's YouTube video below:

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 Tests in Science Times.