Chongqing- From 0:00 to 24:00 on March 15, Chongqing added 11 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and three asymptomatic cases, according to the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission Wednesday. To date, Chongqing reported a total of 35 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and six asymptomatic cases.

At the nucleic acid testing point on Xijie Street in University Town, Chongqing High-tech Zone, medical staff in protective clothing are busy collecting samples for testing (iChongqing file photo).

All confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections have been found in close contact, sub-close contact, and key risk personnel, said Li Pan, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, at a press conference on the 15th.

"All patients have received isolation treatment or isolation medical observation at the Chongqing Municipal Public Health Medical Treatment Center, and their condition is stable," Li added.

Epidemiological investigation

There are 30 confirmed cases and three asymptomatic infections in the High-tech Zone. Chongqing has organized 81 experts to carry out the epidemiological investigation. As of 18:00 on Tuesday, a total of 1,872 close contacts and 2,909 sub-close contacts in Chongqing have been implemented control measures.

The current epidemiological investigation shows that the transmission chain of the epidemic in the Chongqing High-tech Zone is clear as they all belong to the same transmission chain. Two hundred ninety-two environmental samples were collected, and the results were all negative. A total of 721,000 nucleic acid testing conducted in the High-tech Zone, and 496,000 people have received results, all of which are negative. The Chongqing City Management College has completed two rounds of nucleic acid testing.

Merchants and citizens in High-tech Zone were actively cooperating, and the nucleic acid testing work was carried out smoothly. (iChongqing file photo)

On March 14, Banan District reported one local confirmed case found in the fever clinic. As of 18:00 on the 15th, 635 close contacts and 987 sub-close contacts in Chongqing have been investigated.

As to Yubei District, one local confirmed case was reported on the 14th and 15th separately.

Li Pan said that in Yongchuan District, four positive cases were found in the epidemiological investigation. Two of them were confirmed cases, and the other two were asymptomatic infections.

After receiving the report, Chongqing immediately organized epidemiological investigation and nucleic acid testing, and quarantine control measures were implemented. The terminal environmental disinfection was completed, according to the report.

100% homology with virus sequences from other provinces

The Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention has completed the gene sequencing of one case in Banan District and one case in Yongchuan District. The results showed that they were all omicron variants (BA.2 evolutionary clade).

After comparison, it is 100% homologous to the virus sequences in other provinces.

At present, Chongqing has worked hard to undergo a thorough epidemiological investigation and genetic tracing of other infected persons. Chongqing will conduct scientific research and judgment on the source of infection, transmission chain, and development trend of this round of epidemic as soon as possible and release information in real-time.

Six suggestions from experts

Faced with the multiple outbreaks of the epidemic in Chongqing at this stage, Luo Fei, an expert from the Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chongqing CDC), gave six suggestions for citizens, as follows:

First, pay close attention to the epidemic information released by authoritative channels. If you found that you have overlap in time or space with the close contacts who officially notified confirmed cases, immediately report to the community and take measures such as testing and observation as required.

Second, if you receive a phone call from the Chongqing CDC or the community, please provide personal information truthfully and accurately, and inform your whereabouts in detail.

The third is conscientiously implement the requirements for epidemic prevention and control, do not gather unless necessary, and minimize gathering activities.

The fourth is to cooperate with the prevention and control work such as health code verification, temperature measurement, and registration when in and out of public places. Those returning to Chongqing from other provinces and cities should report to the community and carry out nucleic acid testing in time.

Fifth, if you have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, dry cough, or difficulty breathing, take personal protection and go to the nearest fever clinic immediately.

Sixth, improve personal protection, wear masks correctly, wash hands, and ventilate frequently. Keep "one-meter" social distance, use "serving chopsticks," and stick to good hygiene habits.