Shanghai Elementary and Middle School Online Classes
1,000 confirmed cases in 2 years↑
China has introduced rapid antigen testing, which has not been allowed before. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is skyrocketing, with cities with a population of more than 9 million being completely locked down.
On the 11th, the National Health Commission of China announced the ‘Corona 19 antigen test application plan’ that allows rapid antigen testing to diagnose COVID-19. Antigen test subjects can self-diagnose whether they are confirmed by purchasing an antigen test kit individually for those with suspected symptoms such as fever, self-isolation or close contact with confirmed cases. China has not yet allowed rapid antigen testing, which is widely used worldwide.
The introduction of rapid antigen testing is interpreted as a measure to determine whether or not the virus is confirmed early, as the number of asymptomatic infections surged and the number of new confirmed cases per day exceeded 1,000 in two years. Changchun, in Liaoning Province, China, with a population of 9.06 million, closed the city on the same day due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. In Changchun, following 5 confirmed cases on the 4th, a total of 140 people were infected until the 10th. All branches were closed except for supermarkets, pharmacies, and special medical institutions that sell daily necessities. Changchun City has decided to periodically conduct nucleic acid testing for all residents.
Shanghai moved all elementary and middle school classes online from the 12th, and closed kindergartens and daycare centers. The number of new daily infections in China increased to 526 on the 6th and doubled to 1,100 on the 10th, four days later. It is the first time in more than two years since February 18, 2020 (1,749) in China that the number of daily new cases exceeded 1,000.
Reporter Hwang In-joo