Advertisement
Covid-19 outbreaks could get 10 times bigger, Shanghai disease expert warns
- Huge risk of imported cases as world relaxes control measures against highly transmissible Omicron, Shanghai’s coronavirus strategy leader says
- In written note to city lawmakers, Zhang Wenhong suggests that local authorities plan and hold drills in case of widespread outbreaks
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
33
Shanghai should prepare for Covid-19 outbreaks to become five to 10 times bigger, a health expert leading the Chinese megacity’s coronavirus battle has warned.
Advertisement
Infectious diseases expert Zhang Wenhong said the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant and surge in global cases meant that Shanghai, as one of China’s major international gateways, should gear up for a rise in imported infections and stretched hospitals.
This came as the city on Monday reported 22 imported cases and one local infection – a worker handling imported goods in the cargo area at Pudong International Airport.
The worker was fully vaccinated and his biweekly routine Covid-19 test had come back negative on Thursday, authorities said. Neither passenger nor cargo operations have been affected.
Nearly 300 of his close contacts and their contacts had tested negative and been placed under quarantine, local officials said.
Shanghai health commission director Wu Jinglei encouraged residents not to travel for the Lunar New Year holiday. The city has banned entry for travellers from high-risk areas elsewhere in China.
Advertisement