China is reportedly witnessing its biggest spike in COVID-19 Delta variant cases. Travelers from a city where infections have been rising at a much higher rate are being subject to strict quarantine rules in adjoining areas in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Chinese authorities reported that there were 32 new confirmed cases of domestically transmitted infections recently, on one single day, majority of which were in northeastern Dalian city. The new wave of infections brings the total number of local cases to 1308 since last month, up from the 1280 local cases reported during the country’s summer outbreak.

This indicates China's largest Delta variant outbreak that has affected around 21 provinces, regions and municipalities. Even though the infections are not as widespread as those in several other countries, Chinese authorities are intent on preventing any further transmissions as per the government's zero-tolerance guidance.

Notably, many province-level regions have controlled the epidemic within weeks of the current outbreak, using quick implementation of a complex set of restrictions, including several rounds of testing of people in areas with elevated risk, rigorous contact tracing, restrictions on tourism & public transport, and closure of entertainment & cultural venues.

However, an official at the National Health Commission, Wu Liangyou, mentioned that the city of Dalian still continues to battle the spread of the virus.

Dalian's first local symptomatic case from the latest outbreak was reported at the beginning of this month. Since then, the port city of around 7.5 million people has detected over 24 new local cases on an average every day, higher than any other cities in China.

People arriving from Dalian in some cities including Anshan, Dandong, and Shenyang, are quarantined at centralized facilities for around 14 days before being able to move freely.

As of now, mainland China has reported over 98,315 confirmed COVID-19 cases with symptoms, comprising the domestically transmitted infections as well as those from overseas. Around 4,636 deaths have been recorded at so far.

Source Credit: https://www.businesstoday.in/coronavirus/story/covid-19-china-fights-biggest-delta-outbreak-as-cases-grow-in-dalian-city-312235-2021-11-15