Photo: CFP

Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province strengthened anti-epidemic measures as the city is faced with the "most complex and severest outbreak in three years" that have led to 3,732 infections since October 22.     

A total of 2,370 cases, or 64 percent of the 3,732 infections, were discovered in the Haizhu district, Zhang Yi, deputy director of the Guangzhou Health Commission, said at a press conference on Saturday.

In the last three days, 31,000 people have been transferred from Guangzhou to nearby cities due to  the surging epidemic as a measure to help put the outbreak under control as soon as possible, Zhang revealed. 

To effectively curb the epidemic transmission and tamp down infections, the Haizhu district authority announced on Friday to strictly restrict local residents' activities from Saturday to Monday and enhance nucleic acid testing during the three days.

According to the announcement, residents are required not to leave home unless necessary. Each family can arrange one person to go out per day to purchase necessary daily living materials.    

Vehicles, except those for maintaining the basic function of the city, and ensuring medical service and epidemic prevention and control, are banned from the roads, according to the announcement.  

The move is aimed at helping screen high-risk groups and curb virus transmission chain in order to clear infections in local communities as soon as possible, Zhang said at the Saturday press conference.  

According to Zhang, Guangzhou city reported 746 local infections on Friday, among which eight are discovered in local communities and others are discovered in high-risk areas or among people who are under quarantine.

According to media reports, more than 40 areas are identified as high-risk in Guangzhou, many of which are located in Baiyun, Huadu and Haizhu districts in the city.

"Guangzhou is faced with the most complex and severest outbreak in three years fighting the COVID-19," Zhang said.

Zhang called on Guangzhou residents to understand the epidemic situation and cooperate, as well as arrange their work and life according to the measures.

"Hope we can make full use of the following days to realize utmost anti-epidemic outcomes with the smallest cost and reduce the impact of the epidemic on the economy and society to the lowest," Zhang noted.

According to Zhang, during the epidemic prevention and control period, the city will do its best to provide medical assistance and services, and people's lives will be given priority regardless of cost and conditions. Makeshift hospitals will be activated in due course to treat patients with mild and asymptomatic COVID-19.

Global Times