Coronavirus: China closes Myanmar border bridge and orders city lockdown after new cluster emerges
- Chinese border city of Ruili in Yunnan province hit by six local infections and three asymptomatic cases
- Hotelier predicts bigger issues if China receives an influx of Myanmar refugees fleeing turmoil in their home country
The health commission of Yunnan province in southwestern China said in a statement that three new asymptomatic cases – which China does not classify as confirmed cases – were found in Ruili, along with the six confirmed infections on Tuesday.
It is the first time since February 5 that China has reported a local cluster. On Wednesday, the National Health Commission said China found 11 new Covid-19 cases on March 30. The other five cases were all imported.
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As well as strengthening public health measures, China has been bolstering security as the violent crackdown by Myanmar’s junta causes many Myanmese to flee the country, seeking refuge in China, Thailand and India.
Health authorities said one of the confirmed Covid-19 cases and three of the asymptomatic cases were Myanmese while the rest were Chinese.
Ruili deputy mayor Yang Mou said on Wednesday morning the city would enter a one-week lockdown and that 317 people identified as close contacts were under quarantine for medical observation.
Yang said the city expected to complete citywide nucleic acid sampling and testing by late Wednesday night, while provincial authorities had mobilised 1,800 medical personnel from neighbouring cities to help.