Coronavirus: China grapples with ‘mini Wuhan’ as cases rise in the north
- CDC chief says he’s cautiously optimistic about Shijiazhuang outbreak but it can’t be taken lightly
- George Gao warns public to remain on alert
“[It is] not so large as in Wuhan ... but still has local outbreaks,” Gao was quoted as saying. “I am cautiously optimistic, but I must not take the epidemic lightly.”
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Coronavirus: Hebei province reports 120 new local cases in China’s biggest Covid-19 rise in months
Hebei has reported more than 1,000 infections since the first case in months in the province was confirmed on January 2.
The province has become the centre of the biggest outbreak since China contained the first wave in Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province in spring.
In addition, more than 350 cases have been reported in the north in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces and Beijing.
Gao said the outbreaks were expected because the coronavirus had seasonal characteristics like flu, which becomes more common after autumn, according to the report.
Frozen food could play a role in transmitting the virus and outbreaks in some areas were “normal” given that China and even the northern hemisphere was a “giant cold chain”.