Community spread of COVID-19 slowing down in China, data shows

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Stringent measures in virus-hit areas have led to a slowdown in domestic COVID-19 transmission in China, according to latest data released on Monday.

The number of community transmission cases detected over the past day fell to 97, the National Health Commission said in its daily bulletin.

The figure had been above 100 intermittently for the past two weeks.

Most of the local cases – 60 – were reported in Henan province, 21 in the port city of Tianjin, and 15 in Shaanxi province.

A strict lockdown and mass testing have brought down infection numbers in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi that has been at the center of China’s latest virus outbreak with over 2,000 infections recorded since Dec. 9, 2021.

Over in Tianjin, authorities have banned all tourism and related activities as part of measures to stem the virus’ spread.

Officials in the capital Beijing are also urging citizens to avoid traveling during the upcoming Spring Festival holidays starting on Feb. 1.

China’s overall virus tally now stands at 103,776, including 4,636 deaths, according to official data.

- Taiwan cluster grows

Cases of local transmission are on the rise in Taiwan, all linked to a cluster detected at an airport earlier this month.

Six more infections linked to the Taoyuan International Airport cluster were confirmed on Monday, raising the number of cases connected to the hotspot to 30, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center said on Monday.

At least 26 new imported cases were also recorded in Taiwan, pushing its overall tally to 17,393, including 850 deaths.