This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-53054388

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coronavirus: Beijing tightens controls amid spike in local cases Coronavirus: Beijing tightens controls amid spike in local cases
(about 1 hour later)
The Chinese capital Beijing has put more neighbourhoods under lockdown and boosted testing as it tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus.The Chinese capital Beijing has put more neighbourhoods under lockdown and boosted testing as it tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus.
The city has seen more than 100 new cases in the fresh outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. There were 27 new cases reported on Tuesday, bringing the total to 106 people over five days.
A Chinese official has described the new outbreak in the capital as "extremely severe".
For more than seven weeks Beijing had only registered cases from people travelling in from abroad.For more than seven weeks Beijing had only registered cases from people travelling in from abroad.
New clusters of coronavirus are "always a concern", said Mike Ryan, the WHO's emergencies programme head. New clusters of coronavirus are "always a concern", said Mike Ryan, emergencies programme head at the World Health Organization.
"But what we do like to see is an immediate response to that and comprehensive set of measures," he added."But what we do like to see is an immediate response to that and comprehensive set of measures," he added.
What do we know about the new cases?What do we know about the new cases?
The fresh outbreak has been linked to the city's largest wholesale market, Xinfadi.The fresh outbreak has been linked to the city's largest wholesale market, Xinfadi.
Local media reports say the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the market, prompting major supermarkets in Beijing to pull the fish from their shelves.Local media reports say the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the market, prompting major supermarkets in Beijing to pull the fish from their shelves.
The general manager of the market has been dismissed, along with other local officials.The general manager of the market has been dismissed, along with other local officials.
In his comments though, the WHO's Mike Ryan was cautious about the cause of the outbreak, saying the suggestion it was carried on salmon or its packaging was only a "hypothesis". In his comments though, the WHO's Mike Ryan was cautious about the source of the outbreak, saying the suggestion it was carried on salmon or its packaging was only a "hypothesis".
Other health experts have pointed to cross-contamination as being a more likely source. Other health experts have pointed to cross-contamination as being a more likely cause.
The chief epidemiologist of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the virus strain found in Beijing did not resemble the type circulating across the rest of the country, and the WHO has also urged China to share the genetic sequencing of the strain. Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the virus strain found in Beijing did not resemble the type circulating across the rest of the country, and the WHO has urged China to share the genetic sequencing.
What's being done to combat the outbreak?What's being done to combat the outbreak?
The market was shut early on Saturday and restrictions imposed on nearby neighbourhoods. The market was shut early on Saturday and restrictions imposed on nearby neighbourhoods. Residents living near the market have been told they can't leave the city.
All taxis are also now banned from driving beyond the city limits.
By Monday Beijing had set up nearly 200 testing sites and contacted about 200,000 people who had visited the market since the end of May, state news outlet Xinhua reported.By Monday Beijing had set up nearly 200 testing sites and contacted about 200,000 people who had visited the market since the end of May, state news outlet Xinhua reported.
Volunteers at security checkpoints tested residents' temperatures.Volunteers at security checkpoints tested residents' temperatures.
The lockdown has also been extended to 21 residential compounds close to the market.The lockdown has also been extended to 21 residential compounds close to the market.
Indoor sporting and entertainment venues across Beijing have been ordered to close, as have many schools.Indoor sporting and entertainment venues across Beijing have been ordered to close, as have many schools.
The concerns over a second outbreak come as Beijing attempts to return to normal life. China reported the first coronavirus cases but new cases and infections have dropped drastically as hotspots developed elsewhere in the world. The concerns over a second outbreak come as Beijing attempts to return to normal life. China reported the first coronavirus cases last year, but new cases and infections have dropped drastically as hotspots have developed elsewhere in the world.
Also on Monday, Germany, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland reopened their borders to other EU countries while cafes and restaurants opened across France.