Shanghai Pudong International Airport enforces stringent measures to prevent the rise of imported coronavirus cases. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

A total of 4,553 African people living in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, have been tested for COVID-19 from April 4 as of Monday, of whom 111 tested positive, according to the Guangzhou government on Monday night. 

Among the 111 confirmed patients, 19 are imported cases and some are asymptomatic virus carriers. All of the patients are currently under treatment, Guangzhou deputy mayor Chen Zhiying said, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Chen Yongqiu, deputy director of the Guangzhou public security bureau, said the city used the same nucleic acid test measures for African people as it did for Chinese citizens and other foreigners, and provided the same designated hotels for their quarantine. 

"There was not any racial or ethnic discrimination" during the process of testing and isolation, Chen stressed.

"Timely detection of COVID-19 cases through screening is an important measure to ensure the safety and health of the African people in the city," said another official from the Guangzhou Health Commission. 

As of Sunday, Guangzhou reported a total of 119 imported cases, among whom 25 are foreigners, including 19 from Africa, according to the Guangzhou Health Commission. 

Global Times