Chongqing- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality announced that since December 1, high-risk zones of newly infected COVID cases had decreased dynamically for three consecutive days. This indicates that the epidemic situation has declined steadily, and production and life have gradually recovered in an orderly fashion.
The flow of passengers at CRT Line 6 Guangdianyuan Station on December 5, 2022. (iChongqing file photo)
Key crowd still requires regular nucleic acid testing
"Residents in low-risk zones and regular control areas in central urban areas should reduce gathering," said Li Pan, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, at a press conference on December 4. "The operation of some businesses with confined spaces, such as cinemas, poker and mahjong clubs, indoor swimming pools, Internet cafes, and dine-in service, is still suspended."
On December 5, the city reported 247 newly confirmed local cases and 4,575 new asymptomatic carriers, according to figures released by Chongqing Municipal Health Commission.
He said that the disease control and prevention department has its surveillance and early warning system for potentially asymptomatic infected carriers.
"The key crowd still needs regular nucleic acid testing, such as deliverymen and workers in hotels, shopping malls, supermarkets, and hospital fever clinics," said Li. "Those who visit the fever clinic are also under surveillance."
Li added that there is no need to be overly concerned among the public because the current system combines a relatively mature virus surveillance and early warning network regarding epidemiology and public health.
The "Mini Bangkok" is back
According to the officer's introduction from the sub-district office, over 80% of merchants on Ziwei Road opened, and the consumer flow recovered significantly.
Ziwei Road, also known as Chongqing's "Mini Bangkok," one outstanding example of city renovation in Yubei District, has become the city's new landmark that appeals to locals and tourists with vibrant life elements.
"Yubei District is orderly to restore the hustle and bustle and gradually return to normal production and life," said an official from Yubei District.
Among 241 industrial enterprises in Yubei District, 171 enterprises, such as Changan Automobile's Yubei factory and OPPO Chongqing factory, maintain closed-loop production. Over the past two days, 22 new industrial enterprises have resumed work, bringing Yubei's production capacity to 95%.
Of the 29 major projects under construction at the municipal level, 15 have resumed work, with 64.7% of workers returning to work.
Dr. Zhou Fachun, the head of ICU at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, said that the temperature in Chongqing has recently dropped significantly. Winter is also the season for respiratory disease to become active.
He has encouraged residents to keep ibuprofen and Tylenol as family-standing medicine. Wearing masks for protection is urged, especially in spaces with poor ventilation, like an elevator.
Yubei District gradually returns to normal production and life. (iChongqing/ Zheng Ran)