China's capital sees record infections as it recovers from heavy rainfall

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Beijing saw a record number of infectious diseases in the second week of August following heavy rains that lashed China’s capital and northern Hebei province, data from the health authority revealed on Wednesday.

From Aug. 7 to Aug. 13, Beijing reported a total of 8,287 cases of 20 different infectious diseases, with one fatality, the Beijing-based Global Times stated on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing a recent announcement from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

The health authority said COVID-19, hand, foot and mouth disease, other infectious diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis were the top five reported diseases, accounting for 94.1% of cases.

Typhoons Doksuri and Khanun caused heavy rains and flooding in Beijing and other northern provinces in late July.

The floods killed over 140 people, including 33 in Beijing alone, and destroyed infrastructure and farmlands.

Authorities had to mobilize soldiers for search and rescue in Beijing, which also saw communications, including train services, disrupted in some districts.